Missão Internacional Porto & Mar to China begins agenda focused on innovation and business

Delegation visits Zhongguancun Science Park, Baidu headquarters, and BAIC’s smart mega factory during an agenda focused on electric mobility and commercial opportunities (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

The Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2026 began its technical agenda in China this Monday (25) with an immersion into some of the country’s leading environments for innovation, artificial intelligence, and industrial development. Business leaders, executives, and Brazilian authorities participated in visits to Zhongguancun Science Park, Baidu’s Artificial Intelligence Operations and Development Center, and the smart mega factory of automaker BAIC in Beijing.

The agenda organized by Grupo Tribuna placed the delegation in direct contact with a landscape that helps explain China’s rapid progress in areas such as artificial intelligence, smart mobility, industrial automation, advanced computing, and technology applied to industry and infrastructure.

However, this year’s mission goes beyond technological observation. One of the main objectives of the international agenda is also to foster business generation, commercial connections, and partnership opportunities between Brazilian entrepreneurs and Chinese companies that have been expanding their global presence across different sectors of the economy.

The first stop of the day was Zhongguancun Science Park, considered China’s leading technological innovation hub and often compared to Silicon Valley in the United States.

Throughout the visit, the delegation was introduced to projects considered strategic for China’s future, including humanoid robots (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

Upon arrival, mission members were impressed by the scale and grandeur of the complex, marked by futuristic architecture and exhibitions strongly focused on technological innovation. The site features demonstrations related to artificial intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors, autonomous vehicles, humanoid robotics, quantum computing, and aerospace technology.

More than a technology park, Zhongguancun operates as a complete innovation ecosystem, connecting universities, research centers, startups, and major technology companies in an environment focused on scientific and industrial development.

Throughout the visit, the delegation was introduced to projects considered strategic for China’s future, including humanoid robots, intelligent connected-city systems, domestic semiconductor development, quantum technologies, and advanced artificial intelligence platforms.

Alberto Mourão (Disclosure)

One of the aspects that drew the most attention was the scale of China’s investment in technological autonomy. Representatives from the park highlighted the country’s efforts to reduce external dependencies in strategic sectors, especially semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing.

“It is impressive how much China has advanced in 15 years. They are highly focused on evolving research in several areas. In healthcare, for example, this includes patient treatment. Urban mobility is also one of their priorities, with massive electrification. Research is underway across all sectors, with significant progress driven by both private and state investments”, said Alberto Mourão, mayor of Praia Grande.

Visited by the delegation, Baidu has expanded investments in artificial intelligence, standing out in the global technology race (Reproduction)

Autonomous driving impresses Brazilians

After Zhongguancun, the program continued with a visit to Baidu’s Artificial Intelligence Operations and Development Center. Baidu is one of Asia’s largest technology companies and is often referred to as the “Chinese Google”. Founded in 2000, the company has established itself as one of China’s internet and artificial intelligence giants.

During the presentation, mission members learned about part of the company’s trajectory and were introduced to projects considered strategic for the future of mobility and artificial intelligence in the country. Among the highlights were initiatives related to Apollo, the autonomous driving platform developed by the company and used in testing and operations involving intelligent vehicles in Chinese cities.

The experience became even more practical when all delegation members had the opportunity to ride in autonomous vehicles developed by the company. With no driver behind the wheel, the vehicles operated in a fully automated manner, using sensors, artificial intelligence, and advanced navigation systems to interpret the urban environment in real time.

Baidu has also been expanding investments in advanced generative artificial intelligence models and in the integration of intelligent systems into urban daily life, reinforcing the company’s position as one of the key players in the global technology race.

The Brazilian delegation had the opportunity to observe part of BAIC’s vehicle production process (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

Expanding global presence

The final agenda of the day for the Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2026, organized by Grupo Tribuna, took the Brazilian delegation to BAIC’s high-tech smart mega factory, one of China’s largest automakers and a benchmark in the development of electric vehicles, industrial automation, and intelligent mobility.

Mission participants toured the company’s massive production facilities and observed part of the luxury vehicle manufacturing process in an environment characterized by advanced automation, industrial robotics, and digitally integrated assembly lines.

BAIC — short for Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation — is among China’s largest automotive groups and operates globally in the passenger vehicle, electric car, truck, bus, and intelligent mobility segments. The group also maintains industrial partnerships with international brands and has accelerated investments in electrification and intelligent driving technologies.

During the visit, company representatives highlighted the progress of the Chinese automotive industry over the past decade and investments focused on the production of intelligent electric vehicles, embedded systems, and connected platforms. The automaker expects to expand its international presence in the coming years, including in the Brazilian market, which is expected to receive vehicles from the brand later this year.