On October 11, 2014, Innovation Design Industry Strategic Alliance of China was established in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Lu Yongqiang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was elected Chairman of the board. NIT became a member of the Alliance. Professor Jin Weiliang, President of NIT was elected Senior Advisor. Professor Shao Peiren, Dean of the School of Media and Design was elected Vice Director of the Committee of Experts.

The Alliance was sponsored by Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society and Zhejiang University. Up to 100 institutions attended the Alliance, including over 50 sizable companied and over 40 universities, institutes, media, industry associations and foundations. The Alliance aims to “design” a better life for 1.3 billion Chinese people.