The forum welcomed more than 300 participants from embassies and consulates of some countries in China, as well as representatives of relevant international organizations, well-known enterprises and industry associations. Under the theme of “Deepening the Partnership of the New Industrial Revolution to Promote Common Sustainable Development”, they had extensive and in-depth discussions on such topics as the digital transformation of industries, supply chain and industrial chain cooperation, and sustainable industrial development. Featured activities of the forum include the online launch of eight capacity-building platforms, such as coordinated industrial chain and supply chain innovation in the BRICS Innovation Base, digital standard verification and innovation application, and talent cultivation; the establishment of the Industrial Innovation Alliance; and the inauguration of the Standard and Intellectual Property Service Center and Industrial Innovation Center for Manufacturing Innovation Results.

Xin Guobin said in his speech that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to cooperation with BRICS countries and puts forward the important initiatives of jointly developing the BRICS partnership on new industrial revolution and establishing the Innovation Base for BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution in Xiamen City, Fujian Province. His Excellency’s planning has pointed out the orientation for strengthening cooperation in the new industrial revolution. Under the new situation, China’s commitment to deepening pragmatic cooperation in the new industrial revolution remains unchanged. First, upholding solidarity and win-win cooperation. We should leverage the development opportunities of the new industrial revolution, center partnerships on such areas as 5G, industrial Internet, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent manufacturing, and cultivate a fair, just and non-discriminatory development environment. Second, advocating pioneering spirit, innovation , universal benefits and balanced development. We should launch a series of cooperation programs on talent training, policy exchange and demonstration projects to enhance the development capacity of information and communication industries and support global sustainable development. Third, adhering to opening up, inclusiveness, co-development and result sharing. We should focus on key areas, such as technology, rules and standards, continue to conduct institutional and systemic international exchange and collaboration in areas related to the new industrial revolution and create an international cooperation platform conducive to all.

The forum is co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Fujian Provincial People’s Government, Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, and the China Council for BRICS Think Tank Cooperation. Representatives from member institutions of the BRICS Innovation Base participated in the forum, including the International Department of the Central Committee of CPC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the People’s Bank of China, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the China Center for International Knowledge on Development, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China General Technology Group.

The final of the BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest 2022 was held during the forum. With three competing categories, namely industrial Internet, intelligent manufacturing and green development, this contest received 1,330 entries from BRICS and BRICS+ countries, playing a demonstration and leading role in BRICS industrial cooperation. The second meeting of the BRICS Innovation Base Council and the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition were also held. The forum saw 29 projects with a total investment of RMB 18.1 billion signed.