On February 21, 2025, a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute (SJTU-APGI) as part of their official visit to the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore.

The delegation comprised several high-ranking officials, including Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee & Secretary General of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee Mr Zhao Lei, Assistant Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) Mr. Zhao Shitong, and Vice President of Tsinghua University Professor Jiang Peixue, alongside additional representatives from the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal People’s Government, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Mr. Cao Zhongming  and his colleagues in Singapore. Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, Executive Director (Academic Research) of NRF, was also present for the visit.

During the visit, Professor Peng Yinghong, Dean of SJTU-APGI, provided a comprehensive presentation on the history, vision, and key milestones of SJTU-APGI, highlighting the Energy and Environmentally Sustainable Solutions for Megacities (E2S2) program, a collaborative initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and SJTU. He also introduced the newly launched Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO₂ (CNSB) program, which aligns with Singapore’s decarbonization policies, detailing its framework and recent progresses. In addition, he introduced the CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) initiative, describing it as an "international collaboratory" that hosts research centres established by top global universities.

During discussions, H.E. Yin inquired about the CREATE programme’s framework, funding mechanisms, and operational strategies. Professor Mhaisalkar provided a detailed explanation, emphasizing that CREATE serves as an international research and innovation hub, bringing together interdisciplinary research centres from leading global universities to address significant research challenges in Singapore and globally. Professor Peng further highlighted that CREATE not only fosters collaborative research but also provides an ideal environment for young scientists to develop their expertise and innovation capabilities. Moreover, H.E. Yin expressed the importance of research and development, and his expectation for more Chinese universities to join the CREATE program, deepening collaborative efforts with local universities and research institutions in Singapore, fostering stronger scientific and technological partnerships between the two countries.

Also in attendance were Deputy Director (International Relations) of NRF Dr. Poh Wei Theng; Assistant Head (Academic Research) of NRF Dr. Loh Zhi Yang; Vice Dean of SJTU-APGI Professor Xu Min; CNSB-CREATE Scientific Director Professor Xu Ping; Co-Principal Investigator (Track B) of CNSB Professor He Ya-Wen; Co-Principal Investigator (Track D) of CNSB Professor Jin Xin; and Co-Investigator (Track A) of CNSB Professor Shi Leilei, along with SJTU-APGI staff involved in the CNSB program.

This visit reaffirmed the strengthening scientific and technological collaboration between China and Singapore, inspiring the SJTU-APGI and CNSB team to further deepen their cooperative efforts in innovation, sustainability, and advanced research.