When the Industry 5.0 Institute team boarded the plane in mid-July, our mission was clear: to bring the human-centric, sustainable, and innovation-driven vision of Industry 5.0 to some of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
What we didn’t yet know was just how much this journey would inspire us, challenge us and expand our global network.
Over the course of two transformative weeks, our delegation visited Bangkok, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Shanghai, with each stop offering a unique blend of culture, technology and opportunity. This was more than a business trip; it was a tour of ideas, partnerships and shared ambitions.
Bangkok: A Gateway to Collaboration
Our first stop, Bangkok, welcomed us with vibrant colors, rich traditions and a conference hall buzzing with more than 300 innovators from across Asia and beyond. At the Solana X Conference, we proudly represented Europe, sharing our vision for Industry 5.0 as a bridge between continents.
Tadej Slapnik, CEO of the Industry 5.0 Institute, opened the event with a keynote on the EU-Asia potential for Industry 5.0 development, officially inviting all attendees to the World Industry 5.0 Summit in Slovenia this November.
Lea Škrubej, Head of Communications, and other members of our team actively engaged in discussions about regulation, Web4.0, and the role of blockchain in shaping a more inclusive, human-focused future.
Outside the conference rooms, Bangkok’s cultural heritage reminded us that technological progress should always respect and preserve the human spirit.
An evening river cruise with new friends and partners sealed our first chapter with optimism.
Shenzhen: The Tech Capital of China
From Bangkok, we then moved to Shenzhen, a city where innovation is measured in skyscrapers and circuit boards.
Here, we met visionary entrepreneurs, explored Shenzhen’s legendary Tech Street, and visited the headquarters of Solana X, where we laid the foundation for strategic cooperation between our Institute and the Solana X Foundation.
Lea Škrubej delivered a compelling presentation on our mission and services, while Tadej Slapnik shared our strategic roadmap for Industry 5.0 in Slovenia, the EU, China and globally.
Our conversations with tech leaders from Huawei, DJI, Xiaomi, and Tencent revealed just how aligned our vision is with China’s next wave of smart technology.
A highlight of Shenzhen was not just the business but the resilience.
When a typhoon disrupted flights, our partner and COO for the Asian market, Alwin Tan, ensured we continued our journey by high-speed train.
Flexibility and innovation, we were reminded, often go hand in hand.
Nanjing: Where Tradition Meets Transformation
Arriving in Nanjing, the former capital of China, felt like stepping into a living history book.
We walked through the old city center, visited the Confucius Temple and stood atop the Ancient Nanjing City Wall, a place where centuries-old stone meets the glass and steel of modern skyscrapers.
On July 23rd, we took part in the Solana X Foundation Conference, where our presentations focused on the regulatory and technological frameworks needed to advance Industry 5.0 collaboration.
With over 300 attendees, this event underscored that innovation must be paired with trust and shared values.
Nanjing reminded us that Industry 5.0 is not only about machines and markets. It’s about people, culture, and continuity.
Shanghai: Diplomacy, Business, and a Shared Future
Our final stop, Shanghai, was both a business and diplomatic milestone.
Known as China’s economic powerhouse, the city provided the perfect setting to envision the next steps for our Institute’s presence in Asia.
On July 25th, we met with Mag. Mira Lesjak, Head of the Slovenian Consulate in Shanghai, and her colleague Marko Degenek. This meeting followed our earlier participation in the April 2024 Slovenian delegation led by Minister Tanja Fajon. Our discussions focused on:
- Presenting Industry 5.0 and its role in creating an economy that does not deplete the planet, but puts human well-being and workplace safety at the forefront.
- Exploring ways to rapidly connect with Chinese companies and research institutions.
- Identifying the upcoming Slovenian business delegation to Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, led by the President of the National Council, Marko Lotrič, in November as a prime opportunity for formal collaboration.
- Considering the signing of a Letter of Intent with a Chinese research institution during that visit.
These talks confirmed what we had felt throughout our journey: the appetite for collaboration between Europe and Asia in Industry 5.0 is strong, and now is the time to act.
That evening, a private VIP dinner hosted by Alwin Tan brought together leading minds from Shanghai’s business, fintech and innovation sectors. Ideas flowed, connections deepened, and the atmosphere reflected exactly what we are building: a global, human-centric innovation ecosystem.
A Look Ahead : What’s Next?
As we returned to Slovenske Konjice, we carried home more than business cards and agreements. We brought back the energy of Bangkok’s hospitality, the drive of Shenzhen’s tech corridors, the wisdom of Nanjing’s traditions and the strategic opportunities of Shanghai’s global networks.
The Industry 5.0 Asian Tour 2025 strengthened our conviction that the future of industry lies in collaboration without borders. By merging advanced technologies with a deep respect for human well-being and environmental stewardship, we are not only shaping markets: we are shaping the societies of tomorrow.
We will be back. And when we return, it will be with even more partners, more projects and a shared vision that unites continents.
