Forum on Wood Construction Development in the New Era

By: Lance Tao

Export Development Program, Canada Wood Group

On July 19, 2022, the Construction Magazine of Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and Canada Wood China (CW China) jointly organized a forum on Wood Construction Development in the New Era. The forum brought together senior government officials and academics across the building construction industry, scientific research communities and building authorities to exchange perspectives and learn about the latest developments in the field of wood construction. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions for travel to Beijing, the forum was organized as in-person event with an online broadcast hosted by the Construction Magazine of MOHURD in partnership with “Zhijian.com,” Truelore Platform and “precast.com.cn,” reaching more than 30,000 viewers.

△ Forum offline venue in Beijing

The event was organized by Leonard Mao, Director of Business Development of CW China. Wen Linfeng, President of the Construction Magazine of MOHURD, Bruce St. John, president of Canada Wood Group and Sun Ying, president of China Construction Technology Consulting Co., Ltd. delivered the opening remarks for the forum.

Bruce St. John emphasized that wood structures are an ideal solution for construction needs in China’s rural revitalization programs, especially for projects such as cultural, tourism and elderly care facilities, as well as for public services and community buildings. He reiterated the commitment of the Canada Wood to work with MOHURD and industry partners to expand the use of wood in construction to mitigate carbon emissions for a more sustainable future.

△ Opening speech delivered by Wen Linfeng, president of the Construction Magazine

△Opening speech delivered by Bruce St John, president of Canada Wood Group.

△ Opening speech delivered by Sun Ying, president of China Construction Technology Consulting

Mr. Cui Kai, a Senior Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Architect of China Architecture Design & Research Group delivered a keynote speech entitled “Establishing the Concept of High-Quality Development and Promoting the Development of Modern Wood Constructions.” In the context of carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, he analyzed the potential role of wood construction and shared case studies and examples of best practices.

Mr. Cui Kai, a Senior Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Architect of China Architecture Design & Research Group delivered a keynote speech

Mr. Ren Qingying, Chief Engineer of China Architecture Design & Research Group shared his experience of wood construction with the theme of “Exploring and Thinking about Wood Structural Design” based on the practice cases of the National Sliding Centre at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and the East Hall of the Capital Museum. He sees huge potential for wood-based technologies to help China meet its carbon reduction goals and believes that green and environmentally friendly modern wood constructions will gain more space in the construction market.

Mr. Ren Qingying, Chief Engineer of China Architecture Design & Research Group shared his views on wood structural design

Additional speakers included Ou Jiajia, head of the wood construction specification group of the China Southwest Geotechnical Investigation & Design Institute Co., Ltd; Gao Ying, Professor of School of Material Science and Technology of Beijing Forestry University; Qiu Peifang, editor-in-chief of Fire Science and Technology; Fu Weizhou, Design Director of CW China and Ni Jun, Chairman of Suzhou Crownhomes Co., Ltd. Each speaker shared their perspectives on the advancement of the wood construction industry, technical issues, development strategies and best practice cases.

               Mr. Fu Weizhou, Design Director of CW China, giving an online presentation.

After the forum, CW China had a roundtable meeting with local experts and government officials to discuss potential bottlenecks for the continued development modern wood construction in the China market. Building on the growing interest in wood construction events with the large online participation, the CW China team will continue to promote sustainably sourced Canadian lumber as an important part of mitigating carbon emissions in construction industries, and build on cooperations with local industry partners.

Group photo of the organizing partners and local government representatives