On the afternoon of April 21, 2014, the forum on the cooperation between San Diego and Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone was held successfully at the conference center of Zizhu Digital Hub. With the theme of “Industrial Ecology and Urban Construction", the forum was sponsored by Minhang District People's Government, San Diego County of the USA and Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone and Supported by Shanghai Jiaotong University and East China Normal University. Mr Zhao Zhuping, governor of Minhang District People’s Government, Ronald Roberts chief of San Diego county, Gerald Sanders, the president and CEO of San Diego local Chamber of Commerce, Guo Weilu, deputy president of East China Normal University, Shen Wen, board chairman and general manager of Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone, related leaders from Minhang District People's Government, relevant government officials from San Diego county, college experts and entrepreneur representatives attended the forum. The forum attracted over 400 attendees from related institutions, the enterprises in Zizhu, the teachers and students from Shanghai Jiaotong University and East China Normal University.

The cooperation forum was designed to enhance the cooperation and exchanges in economy, trade, science and technology, culture and other aspects between Minhang, especially Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone and San Diego County to deepen industrial cooperation and promote economic development. By building the communication platform and learning the successful experience of each other, both sides hoped to amplify the effects of industrial and regional development of San Diego County and zizhu National Hi-tech Zone. On the basis of innovation-driven and science-based industry upgrading, San Diego County and Zizhu hope to boost the harmonious coexistence in terms of economy, industry, environment and the cities by giving full play to the radiating effect and driving force of technological innovation.

The government officials, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs respectively elaborated on the theme of “Industrial Ecology and Urban Construction" from macro economy, industry transformation, industry chain formation and industry cultivation perspectives and they shared the industrial development and urban construction experience. This laid the groundwork for further development in the future. The discussion inspired the attendees to think about the roles played by the cultivation of industrial ecology in urban construction and economic development from the angles of industry planning, management and development to bring about sustainable urban development. The issues regarding to industry planning, transformation of industrial structure and the combination of industries and cities were also discussed to achieve sustainable and healthy development.

Governor Zhao Zhuping welcomed the delegation and gave a lecture on the topic of "the Economic and Industrial Development in Minhang and the Thinking of the Future". In the speech, he introduced in details the efforts and achievement in the economic and industrial development in Minhang. He also looked into the future in the industrial development and urban construction in Minhang.

San Diego County chief Ronald Roberts delivered a keynote speech with the name of "the Climate Action Plan of California and San Diego". He expounded the efforts of California and San Diego County in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting renewable energy development in accordance with the first national climate action plan of the USA.

Du Debin, professor and PhD tutor of East China Normal University, the director of the strategy research base of the Ministry of Education and the dean of Urban and Regional Science School, made a speech on "Where Does Innovation Happen", explaining the role of innovation in solving the unbalanced urban development and the elements of innovation.

Gerald Sanders, president and CEO (former mayor of San Diego) of San Diego Local Chamber of Commerce, outlined business development and in San Diego and the function of the Chamber of Commerce in the development of business.

Tao Hongzhi, vice dean of Advanced Industrial Technology School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, made a theme speech named "Technological Innovation and Regional Economic Development". He discussed the important role of technological innovation in enterprise development, industrial upgrading, regional economy development and the effect of colleges and universities in technological innovation, the transformation of scientific findings and the combination of production, learning and research.

Lawrence Friedman, the interim dean (clinical) and interim CEO (practice) of San Diego Medical School of the University of California, analyzed the status quo and the future of American health care industry such as the family and community medical care, remote medical treatment and public medical services. The highly developed health industry benefits many other industries and brings about the whole economic development.

During summit dialogue session, the delegation members, the scholars and experts from universities and entrepreneurs from Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone conducted a heated discussion on the topic of "Industrial Ecology and Urban Construction" and other related topics.

China has already entered into an urban society. At present, China is faced with the problems of the increase in city number and those in economy, society, ecology and social governance.

As the only Hi-tech Zone jointly invested by government, private enterprise and universities with market-oriented operation, Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone boasts forward looking overall planning, great development potential and abundant resources in the combination of production, learning and research. With a perfect blueprint of urban construction, Zizhu will play an inestimable role in the integrated development of industry and the city and explore urban development mode by giving full play to the advantages of a mixed ownership enterprise.