Rooted in Technology, Advancing Innovation: Second Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 Far East Conference on NDT New Technologies (FENDT) Held in Changzhou

On January 24, 2026, the second preparatory meeting for the 2026 FENDT conference was held at Zhongwu Hotel in Changzhou, Jiangsu. More than 40 representatives from domestic universities, research institutions, inspection and testing organizations, enterprises, public institutions, and industry associations gathered to discuss the preparations for the 2026 FENDT conference. The meeting contributed to building industry consensus and laying a solid foundation for the upcoming 2026 FENDT conference.

The preparatory meeting was chaired by Dr. Zheng Kai, a member of the FENDT council from the Special Equipment Safety Supervision Inspection Institute of Jiangsu Province.

At the beginning of the meeting, Researcher Qiang Tianpeng, the founder and honorary chairman of the FENDT conference, summarized four key reasons behind the conference's sustained development and enduring vitality over the past two decades. Firstly, the conference has remained dedicated to advancing technological innovation in NDT, and actively embodying the guiding principle that “Science and technology are the foundation of a strong nation, and innovation is the soul of national progress”, thereby aligning closely with the nation's needs. Secondly, a scientifically sound foundational framework and core principles were established from the outset and have been consistently implemented. Thirdly, by organizing a variety of engaging academic activities, FENDT has successfully gathered a distinguished group of leading experts, scholars, and emerging talents in the industry. Fourthly, the conference has persisted in self-reform and continuously introduced innovative measures. He further emphasized that the 2026 FENDT conference will continue to drive reforms and launch major innovative initiatives, encouraging active participation from all involved.

Mr. Ji Jianli, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Special Equipment Inspection, delivered a speech on behalf of the association. He fully affirmed the contributions of the FENDT conference to the industry’s development, and emphasized the close collaboration between both parties. Furthermore, he also stated that the association would continue its steadfast support in establishing the conference as a benchmark platform for academic exchange in the NDT field, thereby contributing to the advancement of the industry’s technological capabilities.

Dr. Zheng Kai proceeded to review the first FENDT preparatory meeting and summarized the tasks that had been completed during the earlier phases of preparation. He also outlined the key issues to be addressed in the current session, enabling the attending delegates to stay informed about the latest developments in the 2026 FENDT conference preparations and to focus their discussions on the priority agenda items.

Prof. Tian Guiyun, a member of the FENDT council from Chongqing University of Technology, pointed out that the 2026 FENDT conference should further concentrate on advanced research directions in the NDT field, while strengthening research on core technologies and deepening academic exploration. Additionally, he also emphasized that the collaboration with relevant government agencies should be enhanced to better serve national economic development and scientific advancement, thereby further improving the effectiveness of scientific research and its practical applications.

Prof. Gao Xiaorong, a member of the FENDT council from Southwest Jiaotong University, suggested that the conference could use the development model of the ASNT conference as a benchmark. She also proposed that deeper collaboration with more research institutes and instrument manufacturers in the fields of artificial intelligence and inspection robotics should be fostered, in order to accelerate the practical application of advanced NDT technologies and align with actual industry needs, thereby better serving national strategic priorities including energy security and public safety.

Guo Weican, a senior engineer and a member of the FENDT council, and Dr. Tang Ping, both from Zhejiang Academy of Special Equipment Science, introduced the preliminary plan for a key innovative project of the 2026 FENDT conference, namely, the “ZhiJiang Excellence Cup Competition” will be renewed as “Witness the Miracle: 5‑Hour Showcase”. The event will consist of a three‑hour competition session in the afternoon and a two‑hour technology information release session in the evening. The entire event will focus on showcasing “novel, surprising, special, and excellent” technologies, aiming to present innovative and groundbreaking technologies and achievements. The competition format will be diversified to attract a broader range of participants, and winners will be selected through a combination of expert evaluations and public feedback. The technology information release session will solicit submissions primarily in three areas: scientific experimentation, instrument development, and technology application, — with presentations selected through expert review and released based on merit. The detailed plan will be announced after the Spring Festival.

Prof. Hu Bo, representing Nanchang Hangkong University, the host institution of the 2026 FENDT conference, clearly stated that the university would provide solid support to ensure the orderly progress of all preparatory work. She pledged full commitment to facilitating the smooth advancement of the FENDT conference preparations and expressed determination to successfully organize the Jiangxi parallel session.

Subsequently, the meeting proceeded to the topic discussion phase. All representatives focused on the deployment of various tasks, including the nomination of the chair of the 2026 FENDT academic committee, the invitation of internationally renowned experts, the renaming and refinement of application procedures for certain awards, the selection of hosting, co-organizing, and supporting institutions, the establishment of sub-forums and special sessions, the planning of thematic salons, and the scheduling of key milestones. Specific requirements for each task were clarified to ensure a seamless and smooth preparation process. Additionally, all representatives also actively contributed suggestions and ideas around the themes of advanced NDT technologies and the development of an NDT application segment for major national projects. These discussions can lay a solid foundation and clarify the direction for further promoting the FENDT conference's influence within the industry and strengthening its position as an academic benchmark.

Finally, Prof. Xu Chunguang from Beijing Institute of Technology, chairman of the FENDT council, summarized the second preparatory meeting and expressed sincere gratitude to all representatives. He also emphasized that the organizing committee of the FENDT needs to unite efforts from all parties to effectively advance the second phase of preparations. All representatives were also called on to actively support the major innovation project, “Witness the Miracle: 5‑Hour Showcase” through concrete actions. On the one hand, the new competition session to be held on the afternoon of the registration day should be executed successfully, transforming it into a platform for showcasing, demonstrating, and benchmarking advanced NDT technologies against industry standards. On the other hand, the information release session for the evening of the registration day should be conducted with excellence, positioning it as an efficient and high‑quality platform that accelerates the translation of advanced research into practical applications, facilitates rapid market entry of advanced instruments and products, and promotes the widespread adoption of innovative NDT technologies, processes, and methods.

The successful convening of the second preparatory meeting has further clarified the key priorities for the next phase of preparations for the 2026 FENDT conference, laying a solid foundation for the smooth execution of the 2026 FENDT conference.