This year's China Auto Forum is held in Shanghai's Jiading district, April 16-18. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]

This year's China Auto Forum was held in Shanghai's Jiading district, April 16-18 with experts and scholars from international automobile organizations, associations, vehicle manufacturers, the World Economic Forum, industry organizations, and research institutes in attendance.

They discussed the development of the automobile industry, centering on its transformation and opportunities.

China's new energy automobile industry is in a critical stage of transition, according to Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology.

He urged relevant departments to adhere to the development strategy and called for efforts in scientific and technological innovation, infrastructure, policy making, expansion of openness and cooperation to follow the trend of "electrification, intellectualization, sharing" integration, and to support industrial transformation and upgrading.

Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, delivers a speech on the main forum, April 16. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]

Lu Fangzhou, head of the district, said the development of the automobile industry needs the support of an industrial communication platform and a favorable living environment.

High-quality urban functions also promote the rapid development of the automobile industry, Lu noted.

The district is promoting the integration of the industry and urban planning and seizing the opportunities brought by industrial trends featuring low-carbon, intelligence, networking and sharing. It aims to develop itself into a world-class hub in the industry.

Lu said Jiading will push forward the construction of an international electric vehicle demonstration zone and a state-level pilot demonstration zone for internet-oriented vehicles, build a regional innovation platform and boost research and development of new energy vehicles and Internet-oriented intelligent vehicles.

It will also further promote industrial transformation and upgrading in the Yangtze River Delta Region with its superiority in the sector, according to him.

The China Auto Forum is gaining more presence since its launch in 2011. It is the only and top industry forum to gain the support of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and the WEF.

Lu Fangzhou, director of Jiading district, delivers a speech on the main forum, April 16. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]