YILI(SH:600887) Xin Hua Wang·2025-07-22 11:12Core Insights - The article highlights the significant role of the Yili European Innovation Center in fostering Sino-European cooperation in the food technology sector, particularly in the dairy industry [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Yili Group established the European Innovation Center in Wageningen, Netherlands, in 2014 as an overseas research institution [1] - The center has become a crucial bridge for food technology collaboration between China and Europe [1] - Dr. Gert Smit, the first head of the center, completed his ten-year term and passed leadership to Dr. Caroline van Loosdrecht while continuing to support the center as an expert [1] Group 2: Achievements and Contributions - Under Dr. Smit's leadership, the center achieved significant industry-impacting results, including research on human milk oligosaccharides and cheese development [2] - The center has developed various cheese products tailored to the Chinese market, combining European craftsmanship with local consumer demands [2] - Collaborations with European partners have also focused on probiotics, food safety, and artificial intelligence technologies [2] Group 3: Cultural and Educational Impact - The center has established the European Food Science Scholarship and global internship programs, attracting and nurturing young research talents from multiple countries [3] - Over 50 outstanding students from countries like the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Spain have completed research practices at the center [3] - Dr. Smit's experiences in China have broadened his understanding of the country's rapid modernization and ecological conservation efforts [3]