To advance the internationalization of China's foundry industry cluster development and to share China's experiences and best practices in this domain with the global community, on October 27, 2025, under the initiative and leadership of the China Foundry Association, a meeting was convened by key stakeholders including Mr. Lou Yanchun, President of the World Foundry Organization (WFO) and Chairman of the Foundry Branch of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society; Mr. Jose Javier Gonzalez, Secretary-General of WFO; Mr. Zhang Libo, Vice President of China Machinery Industry Federation and President of China Foundry Association; and Mr. Liu Zhizhong, Deputy General Manager of China Machinery General Research Institute Group Shenyang Foundry Research Institute Co., Ltd. During the meeting, the "WFO Foundry Industry Cluster Committee" was officially established. This milestone is a significant step toward global collaboration in the foundry industry, encompassing resource sharing, joint standard development, and coordinated industrial advancement.

Mr. Zhang Zhiyong, Standing Vice President of China Foundry Association and Vice Chairman of the Foundry Branch of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, Mr. Gao Wei, Executive Vice President of China Foundry Association, Mr. Ma Hongru, Chief Economist of China Foundry Association and Executive Deputy Director and Secretary-general of China Foundry Association's Industrial Cluster Working Committee, Mr. Cao Linfeng, Deputy Secretary-general, Ms. You Yang, as well as Mr. Liu Hongchao, Secretary-general of the Foundry Branch of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, Shi Jun from the Foundry Branch of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, and others attended the meeting.

Mr. Gao Wei presented the organizational structure of the Cluster Industry Committee. The committee is chaired by Mr. Lou Yanchun, President of the World Foundry Organization (WFO). Mr. Zhang Libo, President of China Foundry Association, serves as Executive Vice Chairperson, while Mr. Gao Wei, Vice President of China Foundry Association, acts as Secretary-General. Committee members include China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology, China Foundry Association's Cluster Industry Committee, the Foundry Branch of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, the Japan Foundry Engineering Society, the Indian Foundrymen's Society, Fundigex, and the Spanish FAED Group, among others.

Mr. Ma Hongru delivered a comprehensive overview of the development trajectory of China's foundry industry clusters. Mr. Gao Wei, representing China Foundry Association, signed the annual work plan proposal with Jose Javier Gonzalez. Chairman Lou Yanchun extended congratulations on the establishment of the WFO Foundry Industry Cluster Committee and outlined key expectations and strategic directions for its future work.

The foundry industry cluster serves as a critical driver for regional economic development and industrial competitiveness enhancement. The establishment of the WFO Foundry Industry Cluster Committee will strengthen the overall competitiveness and innovation capabilities of the sector by facilitating effective collaboration and resource integration among local governments, foundry associations and enterprises. This initiative is expected to benefit not only WFO member countries but also contribute significantly to the development of a modern, green, efficient, and collaborative foundry system.

In the future, the committee will initiate the development of the international version of the "Casting Industry Cluster Standards," conduct comprehensive research on the current status of casting industry clusters across various countries and regions, and support their continuous improvement. It will systematically summarize the 40-year developmental experience of China's casting industry clusters and regularly organize academic and technical exchange activities. The China Foundry Association will closely collaborate with the World Foundry Organization (WFO) and other WFO member organizations, including the Foundry Branch of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, to efficiently and pragmatically advance the committee's initiatives, thereby contributing more significantly to the sustainable development of the global casting industry.