On April 9, 2016, Tianjin University signed a strategic cooperation agreement with “China Helicopter Research and Development Institute” in Jiangxi province. Attendees included leaders from both Tianjin University, including President Li Jiajun, and leaders from the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute, including Director Hong Jiao, Party Secretary Zhao Weihua, and Chief Architect Deng Jinghui. Representatives from related schools and offices of Tianjin University also attended the event.

Director Hong Jiao mentioned that China Helicopter Research and Development Institute is a “good match” for Tianjin University, both being leaders in their own separate fields. He extended strong expectations and showed great confidence in carrying out in-depth and all-round cooperation for the future. The Institute, which is affiliated with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was founded in 1969, carrying the praise by national leaders as “The birthplace of Chinese helicopters”. Currently, faced with fierce competition, the Helicopter Institute has to enhance its ability to grasp the market demand and improve its technical level, and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership with Tianjin University will enhance the overall competitiveness of the Institute and promote the further development of Helicopters.

President Li Jiajun, spoke highly of the Institute’s ambition of serving the country and catching up with the world's advanced level. He paid tribute to the “Helicopter Institute” which played a main role in Chinese aviation. He believed that China Helicopter Research and Development Institute will be a world leader over the next ten to twenty years. He hoped that Tianjin University and the Institute can establish a regular exchange mechanism and work very cooperatively on specific projects. They can make full use of their advantages to gain support of China and local governments, promote the construction of national and provincial key laboratories, jointly cultivate high level talents and share resources and realize “win-win” cooperation through complementing advantages.

President Li Jiajun and Mr. Hong jiao, representing both sides, signed a strategic cooperation agreement. They also signed agreements on a joint research and development center and two specific project contracts.

Accompanied by Mr. Hong Jiao, President Li toured the relevant platforms in the Helicopter Institute.