How can an inland river city go global, connect with the world, and leave a profound mark on the map of the Belt and Road Initiative? How can a central state-owned enterprise based in Wuhan consolidate its impact in South America and illuminate countless homes across the region? How can a university in Wuhan collaborate with top European research teams to achieve breakthroughs on the global stage of scientific innovation? With these questions in mind, we traversed vast distances across mountains and seas to conduct field investigations in São Paulo, Brazil, and Lisbon, Portugal. Amid the vibrant street life and frontline scientific research efforts, we found the answer unique to Wuhan: innovation serves as a bridge that transcends geographical boundaries, while collaboration fosters a win-win relationship for all parties involved.