ASME Establishes New Partnerships in China

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2010 – The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has established agreements with PetroChina Pipeline Company (PPC), the Petroleum Storage & Transportation Committee of the Chinese Petroleum Society (PSTC) and the China Machinery Industry Federation (CMIF), all based in China

These formal agreements aim to facilitate an information exchange between ASME and each organization and also establish a framework for ASME to support the needs of China in standards development, conformity assessment, training, and other areas, while collaborating in areas of mutual interest. ASME, with an office in Beijing, has been growing its presence in China, particularly in the area of codes, standards and certification.

A memorandum of understanding with PetroChina Pipeline Company will encourage PPC to play an active role in the development and use of ASME codes and standards addressing gas, oil and other types of pipelines. Under the terms of the memorandum, ASME also will explore opportunities to collaborate with its Chinese partner on technical seminars and workshops covering topics of mutual interest.

PPC, a subsidiary of PetroChina, is a design and construction firm that operates some 11,000 kilometers of pipeline in the provinces of China.

The ASME agreement with the Petroleum Storage & Transportation Committee of the Chinese Petroleum Society includes collaboration on the China International Oil and Gas Pipeline Conference (CIPC), to be held in September 2011.

The agreement with the Chinese Machinery Industry Federation calls for both organizations to work jointly to develop international conferences, workshops, and training programs in areas of mutual interest. In addition, ASME and CMIF will promote the harmonization and use of ASME standards and related conformity assessment programs, according to the memorandum of understanding.

CMIF is the umbrella organization for the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association, China Machine Press, and other technical groups.

ASME Executive Director Thomas G. Loughlin, CAE, will represent ASME and participate in the formal signing ceremonies with executives from each organization during his upcoming visit to China.

ASME currently maintains five memorandums of understanding with corporations and institutes in China, with an additional five agreements pending or under consideration. For more than a decade, ASME has been active in establishing technical partnerships in China. In 2007, ASME established a limited liability company named ASME Asia Pacific, LLC, based in Beijing, which will enable the Society to further its global outreach in codes and standards, certification, conformity assessment, continuing education, training and other programs.

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

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