GE showcases innovative solutions at international import expo

General Electric, one of the most prominent multinational companies in China, is showcasing its technologies in aviation, energy and healthcare at the ongoing China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

At this year's CIIE, three exhibits from GE are displayed for the first time in China, covering energy and healthcare sectors, and two healthcare digital solutions are making their China debut to help improve the accessibility of China's medical resources and patient care.

The third CIIE, running from Nov 5-10, is helping to boost economic cooperation and trade among countries and regions around the world. The event is expected to attract more than 500,000 participants from home and abroad.

At the event, under the theme of "Inventing the Future of Industry", GE is showcasing technologies, solutions and success stories across the sectors of aviation, energy, healthcare and industrial internet.

The theme is presented within the context of China's high-quality economic and social development. GE is demonstrating how it is meeting the country's market demands in the fields of clean energy, urbanization, accessible healthcare and Internet Plus, and how it is supporting the country's economic transformation and upgrade.

"GE is joining the CIIE for the third consecutive year as we believe the event is an important platform to accelerate our collaboration with local partners," said Xiang Weiming, president and CEO of GE China.

"Given the opportunities and challenges brought about by globalization, it is of great importance for China's future development to explore high-level policy for investment liberalization and facilitation, and to revitalize international investment with an open and cooperative attitude. The CIIE is a beneficial practice for China to promote a more open and inclusive investment environment."

As one of the first multinational corporations to enter the Chinese market more than a century ago, GE has this year expanded its exhibition at the CIIE.

The company has also set up a pavilion focused on public health and epidemic prevention, displaying its latest solutions.

At the expo, GE is confronting the challenges in the country's drive for clean energy by demonstrating its comprehensive solutions that support multiple energy sources and cover the full value chain from power generation to consumption, especially in the renewable and gas power sectors.

As one of the models showcased in China for the first time, Cypress is GE Renewable Energy's largest-ever onshore wind turbine. It features a capacity of 5.3 megawatts and a groundbreaking two-piece blade design.

It helps drive down the cost of electricity, which is crucial for wind-farm economic benefits. The proprietary design will improve logistics to offer more siting options, according to the company.

GE is also displaying its most powerful gas turbine, 9HA, for the first time at the CIIE. The turbine features high flexibility and low emissions and is designed to help operators meet increasingly dynamic power demands. One is installed in Huadian's Junliangcheng power plant in Tianjin.

The project achieved its first commission in September and is set to support the country's call for cleaner energy.

At the expo, GE is demonstrating the LEAP engine, produced by its CFM joint venture. The LEAP engine comes in three models, of which the LEAP-1C powers China's locally made large aircraft, the C919. They aim to meet the demands of mass transport brought about by rapid urbanization.

Although the purchasing power of Chinese people is improving as the country's economy develops, China's healthcare system faces the challenges of an aging population, Xiang said. He added that the development of high-tech-based healthcare facilities and precision health, which takes into account each individual's healthcare, are set to play a key role in the nation's Healthy China 2030 program.

Invent the future

According to Xiang, the Chinese market, as the second-biggest market after the United States, is an essential part of the company's global layout.

"GE cannot achieve its full-speed development in China without continued efforts from central and local governments to implement measures for opening-up and improving the business environment.

"Our strategy to promote 'Localization 2.0, strategic partnership and global player' is GE's effective practice as a representative of foreign companies to contribute to China's economic and social development," Xiang said.

To ensure that GE provides local customers with the best products and services, the company said it is committed to localization throughout the value chain, including talent, research and development, manufacturing and procurement.

China is also an important part of GE's global supply chain and an innovation base. The results of local R&D have been applied to markets and customers beyond China, according to the company.

In the field of onshore wind power, GE has developed the 2.5-132 wind turbine, which is designed for the low-and medium-wind environment of China.

In the healthcare business, its R&D in China aims to create a center of excellence for global value products. It has been equipped with R&D capabilities covering nearly all types of medical imaging and diagnostic equipment. Currently, more than 80 products have been developed as a result of local R&D.

According to Xiang, the only way to grow GE's business in China is to grow with its customers. Through long-term partnerships with industry leaders, both sides can grow their businesses in local and global markets.

In 2018, GE and Harbin Electric set up a joint venture in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, to accelerate the manufacturing capabilities of heavy-duty gas turbines. They joined efforts to accelerate the localization of gas turbines, assist China's progress in advanced manufacturing upgrades and brought local customers the most convenient and timely services.

In the aviation industry, GE, Air China and local partners set up joint ventures to provide local repair services for engines including CFM56 and LEAP models.

With these sites, fleets of partnered airlines can enjoy convenient and timely support without having to travel to overseas sites.

China has become the center of the world's supply chain network and GE's supply chain in China is playing a significant role in its global business footprint.

After years of development and investment, GE's Shenyang plant is the company's only site that is capable of producing all product lines of onshore wind turbines. It is a powerful example of its connecting-the-globe strategy.

By the end of July 2020, the factory had supplied nearly 3,000 wind turbines to the global market. About one-third of its products are shipped overseas.

In March, the Shenyang plant produced the first Asia-built Cypress wind turbine to be shipped to Australia. In June, it supplied 60 sets of 1.7 MW turbines for an overseas energy infrastructure project developed by GE and its Chinese EPC partner.

"GE is a company inventing the future of industry, and we are leveraging our industrial strengths and global resources to deliver success with partners to assist in China's high-quality development," Xiang said.