The Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Annual Conference, themed “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,” will take place from March 25 to 28 in Boao, Hainan, China. As part of the event, Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi, was invited to participate in the China-Australia Business Leaders Forum on March 26. Under the theme “Deepening China-Australia Cooperation to Foster an Open Economy,” he shared insights and future strategies from the renewable energy sector. His discussion focused on promoting regional trade and investment growth, strengthening collaboration in scientific and technological innovation, and advancing the global energy transition.

During his address, Zhong highlighted LONGi’s commitment to the open economic framework established by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He emphasized that this agreement plays a crucial role in driving long-term regional trade and investment, particularly in renewable energy collaboration between China and Australia. The Memorandum of Cooperation on Deepening Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, signed between the two nations in June 2024, has further strengthened investment opportunities and trade conditions for clean energy industries, including photovoltaics (PV).

Australia, with its abundant solar resources, presents a key market for LONGi. The company is supplying high-efficiency PV modules, Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) products, and hydrogen production equipment through its Australian subsidiary. These efforts are contributing to the growth of Australia’s PV and green hydrogen sectors. Furthermore, LONGi is leveraging RCEP’s trade facilitation measures to enhance global supply chain efficiency, expand its market presence in Australia, and collaborate with local enterprises to advance carbon neutrality goals.

Zhong also addressed the need for common Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards between China and Australia. He stressed that unified green standards would help streamline certification processes, carbon accounting, and supply chain management for renewable energy projects, reducing uncertainties and improving trade efficiency. LONGi has already committed to 100% renewable energy manufacturing through global initiatives such as RE100, EP100, EV100, and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The company actively promotes green manufacturing and aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the PV industry, ensuring more eco-friendly energy solutions for Australia’s transition to clean power. Additionally, he advocated for increased collaboration between the two nations in green investment and carbon trading, including the development of financial tools such as green bonds and carbon credit mechanisms to secure long-term funding for renewable energy projects.

In his closing remarks, Zhong emphasized the importance of strengthening technological collaboration between Chinese and Australian enterprises to drive innovation and sustainable growth. He noted that technological advancements are at the core of the PV sector’s long-term development. LONGi is committed to deepening Sino-Australian cooperation in clean energy by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve energy efficiency and accelerate industry transformation. The company intends to expand joint research and development initiatives with Australian universities, research institutions, and enterprises through platforms like the China-Australia Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation.

LONGi’s long-standing partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) dates back to 2018. Together, they have collaborated on high-efficiency PV technologies, renewable energy system optimization, and talent development in the sector. Their joint research project on “PV-Powered Water Treatment Systems” explores PV applications in environmental protection. Additionally, LONGi’s breakthroughs in monocrystalline silicon cell efficiency—achieving 27.30%—and its 34.6% efficiency in crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem cells have been recognized globally. These achievements have been featured in the Solar Cell Efficiency Tables curated by Professor Martin Green, often referred to as the “Father of Photovoltaics” at UNSW.

Australia ranks among the global leaders in rooftop solar adoption, with solar energy once contributing 80.5% of electricity supply in Western Australia, reflecting strong public engagement in renewable energy. The Australian government has set an ambitious target for 82% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. However, Zhong pointed out that deep decarbonization requires more than just electricity.

To address this, LONGi has expanded into green hydrogen and green methanol businesses, converting low-cost clean electricity into sustainable liquid and gaseous energy forms. The company aims to provide integrated solutions across photovoltaic systems, green hydrogen, and green methanol sectors to support the global energy transition while securing long-term growth opportunities.

Looking ahead, LONGi is committed to working closely with strategic partners in Australia to achieve a sustainable energy future. With strong policy support, infrastructure development, and continuous technological advancements, Australia is well-positioned to accelerate its clean energy transition. LONGi’s ongoing efforts in PV, green hydrogen, and green methanol will play a pivotal role in shaping the renewable energy landscape and driving meaningful progress toward carbon neutrality.