On March 26, the Steering Conference of the National Key Laboratory for Precision Blasting (SKLPB) and the First Meeting of its Academic Committee were held at the Science and Innovation Building of Jianghan University. Xie Xianqi, a renowned expert in engineering blasting, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and chair of Jianghan University’s Academic Committee, was appointed Director of the laboratory. The laboratory’s advisory and academic committees are composed of 19 academicians and 7 leading experts from related fields across the country, who will provide strategic guidance and intellectual support for its development.
As the only state key laboratory in China dedicated to civil engineering blasting, the SKLPB aims to address major national demands, support key national strategies, and serve socioeconomic development of China. It is committed to becoming a world-class hub for scientific and technological innovation in the blasting industry—an engine for breakthroughs that will help China become a global powerhouse in blasting.
Cheng Yongwen, Vice Governor of Hubei Provincial People’s Government, attended the conference and presented the appointment letter to Academician Xie Xianqi.
Dai Wei, Deputy Director-General of the Hubei Provincial Department of Education; Wang Dongmei, Second-Level Inspector of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology; and Wu Chao’an, Member of the Standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Publicity Department, and Head of the Municipal Education Work Committee, also attended the event and presented appointment letters to the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and members of the laboratory’s advisory and academic committees.
Qing Daoming, Party Secretary of Jianghan University, chaired the conference. On behalf of the university, he extended his gratitude and warm welcome to all attending academicians, experts, and leaders. He emphasized that the SKLPB is of national, provincial, and municipal significance, and that Jianghan University will devote its full institutional strength to ensure the high-quality development of the laboratory. The university aims to make greater contributions to Hubei’s strategic development as center of central China and help redefine Wuhan’s strategic significance in the new era.
In his welcoming remarks, Jing Xinhua, President of Jianghan University, stated that the laboratory focuses on national strategic needs and serves as a robust technological foundation for advancing Chinese-style modernization, contributing to forging the foundation of a strong nation through the power of blasting. The university will increase investment and enhance policy support, fully advancing the laboratory’s construction. Furthermore, the laboratory will serve as a driver to accelerate Jianghan University’s “Double First-Class” initiative, high-level research, talent development, and institutional reform—thereby promoting high-quality, in-depth growth across the university.
He also noted that the laboratory’s establishment has benefited significantly from Jianghan University’s strategic cooperation with Hohai University. Moving forward, the two universities will deepen collaboration in co-construction models, interdisciplinary integration, scientific and technological cooperation, and resource sharing with a goal to build a national model of cross-regional university collaboration in service of national strategies—positioning the laboratory as both a catalyst for industry transformation and a benchmark for innovation, thus contributing to the development of a technologically advanced nation.
Zheng Jinhai, President of Hohai University, reviewed the university’s history, disciplinary strengths, and strategic goals. He highlighted more than 20 years of fruitful research collaboration with Jianghan University and expressed his commitment to using the joint establishment of the laboratory as an opportunity to deepen cooperation, enhance integration, and jointly build a world-class center for blasting science and technology.
Xie Xianqi reviewed the development of blasting technology since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, highlighting its major achievements as well as the challenges ahead. He emphasized that the laboratory will stay closely aligned with the key scientific and technological issues underlying national needs, focusing on three major research directions. Centered on the precise control of blasting processes, the lab aims to achieve original, internationally recognized innovations. It aspires to become China’s leading hub for blasting science and technology, a source of innovation, and a center for cultivating high-level talent—ultimately positioning itself at the forefront of global advancements in blasting technology.
Ren Huiqi, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Laboratory’s Academic Committee, delivered a speech on behalf of all committee members. He pledged their firm commitment to the laboratory’s mission, vowing to fulfill their duties with dedication and foresight. Anchored in the strategic direction of national development, the committee will work to build a full-chain innovation engine, foster a high-quality research environment, and contribute expertise to the development of advanced national capabilities.
Those who attended the meeting also include Liu Hong, Second-Level Inspector of the Wuhan Municipal Science and Technology Bureau; Chen Lei, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Education Bureau; Gao Yintong, Vice President of the China Society of Explosives and Blasting; along with Zhang Hongxing, Li Weidong, and Jia Yongsheng, Vice Presidents of Jianghan University; Chen Da, Vice President of Hohai University; as well as departmental heads from participating institutions and representatives of research faculty from the SKLPB.
Following the steering conference, the inaugural meeting of the Laboratory’s First Academic Committee was held. During the session, Jia Yongsheng provided a comprehensive briefing on the laboratory’s development progress, covering strategic significance and positioning, development goals and key tasks, organizational structure, construction measures and support policies, as well as short-term objectives.
The attending academicians and expert committee members held in-depth discussions on the laboratory’s development plan, annual progress, and future work agenda. They reached a consensus that the laboratory has accurate strategic positioning, clearly defined objectives and tasks, distinctive layout, notable achievements, and practical construction plan. The committee members recommended that future efforts should continue to align with national strategic priorities, cutting-edge scientific developments, and core technical challenges in the industry. They emphasized the importance of fully leveraging the joint strengths of the two universities, further innovating management mechanisms, fostering an open and integrated research environment, and bringing together high-quality resources across the sector to drive collaborative innovation, so as to build the laboratory into a source of cutting-edge technologies and a talent hub in the field of precision blasting. In addition, the committee members offered valuable insights and suggestions for the lab’s future development, focusing on critical issues such as technological breakthroughs, expansion of research domains, interdisciplinary integration, talent development, team building, international cooperation, and environmental protection.
Xie Xianqi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to leaders at all levels, academicians, and experts for their strong support for the laboratory’s development. He stated that their valuable opinions and suggestions would be studied and integrated into the lab’s ongoing development. He also hoped that all parties would continue to support the lab’s future development as always.
Led by Jianghan University and jointly established with Hohai University, SKLPB was officially approved in December 2024. Built upon the former Jianghan University Provincial-Ministerial Co-Constructed State Key Laboratory of Precision Blasting., the reorganized lab draws on Jianghan University’s strengths in blasting engineering and Hohai University’s expertise in civil and hydraulic engineering. The newly restructured laboratory aims to serve national strategies such as building a strong energy nation, a powerful transportation network, and promoting urban renewal, while also addressing national defense needs. It focuses on new features such as deep earth, deep sea, deep space, and large-scale blasting targets. It also tackles new challenges referring to strict safety requirements for personnel, public safety, and environmental protection, as well as the dangerous nature of blasting operations. The lab is committed to advancing scientific research and technological breakthroughs to support industry development and contribute to the nation’s goal of becoming a global leader in science and technology.
(By Chen Minying and Yu Yahua)
