On November 7th, the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Mr. Sergio Mujica, visited Guangxi University and attended the international standardization event themed, “A Shared Vision for a Better World”. During the event, he unveiled the secretariat of the Subcommittee on Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures (ISO/TC 71/SC 9), and delivered a keynote speech. Lu Xinning, a member of Standing Committee of the CPC Guangxi Committee, as well as Vice Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Li Yubing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Standards and Innovation under the State Administration for Market Regulation as well as Chinese Representative of ISO Technical Management Bureau, Cui Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Li Ze, Party Secretary and Director-General of the Market Supervision Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Li Guozhong, Secretary of the CPC GXU Committee attended this themed event. The event was chaired by Han Linhai, President of Guangxi University, and Chairman of the ISO Subcommittee on Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

The unveiling ceremony was held at the Yulin Conference Hall of the GXU Junwu Building. Mr. Mujica, along with Lu Xinning, Li Yubing, Cui Jun, Li Ze, and Li Guozhong, jointly unveiled the plaque for the Secretariat of the Subcommittee on Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures (ISO/TC 71/SC 9). Mr. Mujica praised the subcommittee’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of the official release and implementation of the international standard ISO 16521:2024, which focuses on the design of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) hybrid structures. He highlighted that this standard is significant for the scientific promotion and global application of concrete-filled steel tubular structures worldwide. Mujica also expressed his hope that the subcommittee will continue to play an active role in developing and promoting international standards by harnessing the expertise of professionals worldwide. Han Linhai remarked that as the host of the subcommittee’s secretariat, Guangxi University is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities. He pledged to collaborate with experts and scholars globally to advance the internationalization of standards in this field, and contribute to the construction of global civil engineering infrastructure.

Before the unveiling ceremony, Mr. Mujica delivered a keynote speech entitled, “International Standards: A Shared Vision for a Better World” to the audience of over 200 faculty members and students from Guangxi University and other schools. He also communicated and interacted with the audience on various topics, including ways to participate in the development of ISO international standards, talent cultivation based on international standardization, and the role of standardization in reducing carbon emission.

Before the event, Mr. Mujica visited and toured the secretariat of the Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures Subcommittee (ISO/TC 71/SC 9).

In April of this year, the ISO Technical Management Bureau, the highest technical management authority of ISO, passed Resolution No. 45 of 2024, officially approving the establishment of the Subcommittee on Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures (ISO/TC71/SC9) under the Technical Committee on Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete (ISO/TC71). This subcommittee marks the first initiative by ISO focusing on safety in the primary structures of major infrastructure. The ISO/TC71 Technical Committee appointed Han Linhai as the first chairman of the subcommittee.