Prof. Shaopeng Zhong

Dalian University of Technology, China

Research Area: Collaborative planning and optimization of open spaces, traffic control and vehicle route optimization under intelligent connected vehicles, logical-driven multi-source traffic big data analysis, application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the field of transportation, land use and traffic integration planning, shared autonomous vehicles and urban sustainable development, traffic network analysis, road congestion charging, traffic geography and economy, emergency logistics planning and optimization.

Brief introduction: Shaopeng Zhong, male, is currently a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Management of Dalian University of Technology, and the deputy director of the Smart Transportation Research Institute. As an outstanding scientific and technological innovation talent of the China Intelligent Transportation Association, he focuses on areas such as transportation planning and management, intelligent transportation, and vehicle route optimization. Professor Zhong obtained his doctoral degree from Southeast University in 2010 and has conducted academic exchanges at the University of North Carolina in the United States and the Technical University of Denmark. He has published over 30 papers in authoritative journals, among which 14 are indexed by SCI, 15 by SSCI, and 26 by EI. As the first author, he has published 7 papers in top journals recognized by Dalian University of Technology (5 JCR Q1 papers), including 2 TOP 1 journals. He has published 3 academic monographs and obtained multiple patents from both the United States and China. Professor Zhong has participated in several national-level research projects and received several academic awards, such as the nomination for the Qian Xuesen Urban Science Award. He also serves as a referee and editor for several international journals and is dedicated to promoting intelligent transportation and sustainable urban development.

Prof. Shigui Tao

Nanjing Normal University, China

Research Area: International finance, financial system, rural finance, technology finance.

Brief introduction: Shigui Tao, male, born in Donghai, Jiangsu Province. From 1987 to 2000, he worked at the Lianyungang Branch of the People's Bank of China. From 2001 to 2002, he worked at the Nanjing Branch of the People's Bank of China. Since August 2002, he has been employed at the School of Business, Nanjing Normal University. In 2009, he graduated with a doctoral degree in Law from the School of Public Administration, Nanjing Normal University.

Professor Tao has long dedicated himself to research in international finance, financial systems, rural finance, and technology finance, achieving fruitful results. He has published over 200 academic papers in journals such as *Economic and Financial Studies*, *Financial Research*, and *International Financial Research*, with 20 of these papers being fully reprinted by the Information Center of Renmin University of China. He has authored one monograph published by the People's Publishing House and co-edited four textbooks. Additionally, he has undertaken one National Social Science Fund project, four research projects funded by the Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Provincial Government, and nearly 10 applied research projects, generating significant economic and social benefits. Several of his papers have received awards.  Professor Tao Shigui was awarded the 10th Teaching and Mentoring Award by Nanjing Normal University, recognized as an "Outstanding Graduate Advisor" for the 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 academic years, and honored as an "Outstanding Supervisor for College Student Social Practice Activities" in 2010.

Professor Tao serves as a council member of the Chinese Society for the Study of Foreign Economic Theories, a council member of the China Soft Science Research Association, the vice president of the China Human Development Economics Society, a standing council member of the World Economic Development Society, a council member of the Jiangsu Provincial Finance Association, a council member of the Jiangsu Provincial International Finance Association, a member of the Expert Committee of the China Local Finance Research Institute, a council member of the Jiangsu Market Economy Research Association, a member of the Financial Professional Construction Steering Committee of Jiangsu Vocational University of Economics and Trade, and a member of the Academic Committee of Nanjing Normal University.