XIAMEN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Network of Partner Cities on New Industrial Revolution was officially launched on Wednesday at the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Forum held in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

A model of E190-E2 aircraft is on display at the exhibition of BRICS New Industrial Revolution 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 10, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

The network was jointly initiated by 11 cities, including Durban in South Africa, Lagos in Nigeria, Belgrade in Serbia, Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan, Kaposvar in Hungary, and the Chinese cities of Xiamen, Nanjing, Wuhan, Yinchuan and Changzhou.

The network's focus is on green and low-carbon development, digital transformation, industrial chain collaboration, and talent cultivation. It aims to create a new platform for international inter-city cooperation through regular communication mechanisms, industrial matchmaking and the sharing of innovation resources.

China has stepped up efforts to advance new industrialization in recent years and has become the world's largest market for smart manufacturing applications, Li Lecheng, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said at the forum's opening ceremony.

China looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with all parties, and it will work to expand access to smart manufacturing application scenarios, deepen cooperation in areas such as standards and certification, and promote industrial matchmaking and talent exchanges, Li noted.

Jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Fujian provincial government, the forum includes an opening ceremony, a main forum, parallel sessions, as well as related events.