2023 BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Forum Held in Xiamen

On November 16, 2023 BRICS Partnership Forum on New Industrial Revolution was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Zhao Long, Governor of Fujian Province, Zhang Yunming, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Cui Yonghui, Secretary of Xiamen Municipal Party Committee, Lin Ruiliang, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Huang Wenhui, Mayor of Xiamen, Gao Wang, Ambassador of Brazil to China, Alexei Grudjev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Niu Wangdao, Ambassador of Argentina to China, and Giuseppe Joffreda, Ambassador of Venezuela to China, and other representatives of the BRICS and the “BRICS +” countries such as Ambassador Gao Wang, Ambassador of Argentina to China Niu Wangdao, Ambassador of Venezuela to China Giuseppe Yovreda, representatives of BRICS and BRICS countries, Executive Officer of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Zou Zhaoyong, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the New Development Bank (NDB) Zhou Qiangwu and other heads of international organizations attended the event on-site or by video.

Zhang Yunming stated that President Xi Jinping places high importance on the BRICS New Industrial Revolution partnership. During his visit to South Africa for the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting this year, he emphasized focusing on key areas such as green development, new industrialization, and the digital economy. China will guide its efforts based on President Xi’s speech, adhering to the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. The aim is to implement the consensus of BRICS leaders, leverage the expansion of BRICS membership, deepen industrial cooperation among BRICS countries, and promote high-quality development of the partnership. This includes seizing opportunities in the new industrial revolution, promoting industrialization in BRICS countries, enhancing dialogue in intelligent manufacturing, new materials, and artificial intelligence, and fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Efforts will also focus on digital infrastructure, bridging the “digital divide,” promoting digital transformation in manufacturing, and ensuring that development benefits all BRICS countries. Sustainable development will be prioritized, integrating it into all aspects of industrial production and promoting green technology, equipment, and standards.

Themed “Deepening Partnership Cooperation and Promoting New Industrialization in BRICS Countries,” the forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the People’s Government of Fujian Province. Over 300 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the BRICS Business Council, the Chinese Council for BRICS Think-Tank Cooperation, embassies, international organizations, renowned enterprises, and industry associations, engaged in discussions on topics like industrial internet and digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, green sustainable development, industry-finance cooperation, and power electronics.

During the forum, various events were held, including the finals of the BRICS Industrial Innovation Competition, the first meeting of the BRICS Innovation Base Strategic Advisory Committee, the 2023 BRICS New Industrial Revolution Technology and Governance Advanced Talent Training Program, and the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition. Over 1300 projects from BRICS and “BRICS+” countries participated in the innovation competition finals.

Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (miit.gov.cn)