The long wait culminated on May 29 at the FIG General Assembly, when the online voting results were announced: Qingdao had won the right to host the FIG Congress 2030. For the first time in 148 years, the industry's premier global gathering would be held in China—in Qingdao—marking a historic breakthrough for China's surveying sector.

　　Zhang Zhihua stood up excitedly, shook hands and embraced his team, and walked together to the centre of the stage. "As men, we had to keep some composure," he recalled, "but I did have to wipe my eyes for quite a while."

　　Behind that restrained composure lay more than forty years of a surveyor's dedication, a century of a city's longing, and a nation's long journey from follower to centre stage.

　　"Believe in the power of belief." The real battle is not about soaring ahead in favourable times, but about never giving up in desperate moments. When everything is ready, the rarest quality is not capability, but the steadfast faith that holds until the very last second.

　　On May 29, 2026, China won.

　　All of this was made possible by a remarkable era—we are grateful for this great time.

　　2030, see you in Qingdao.