Global cooperation embraced at expo

China International Big Data Industry Expo 2019 attracted attendees from across the globe to the Guizhou province capital of Guiyang to discuss the latest trends and future development in the burgeoning industry.

Held from May 26 to 29, the event has also attracted 448 enterprises from 61 countries and regions, including 36 involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, to showcase the latest products, solutions, technologies and achievements in big data.

The North African nation of Morocco was the fifth expo's guest of honor, with senior representatives attending to take part in forums and exchanges. Abdelhamid Souiri, vice-president of Morocco's House of Councillors, said he was impressed with how big data is being used in poverty alleviation projects in China and that Morocco should implement actions.

Morocco and China signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2017 in relation to the BRI, which according to Souiri "marked a turning point" in relations between the two countries.

In March, Morocco signed an agreement with Guizhou province on the import of tea valued at $21 million. It is the largest single order of tea for the province in recent years.

Souiri said Morocco hopes to take part in more cooperation projects with Guizhou in more fields such as big data, tourism and agriculture, in the future.

In addition to Morocco, countries such as France and India strengthened cooperation with Guizhou during the expo.

India's National Institute of Information Technology signed cooperation agreements with Guizhou University and Guiyang education bureau on Monday at a Sino-Indian information technology and data technology industry cooperation development forum.

Aquino Vimal, India's deputy ambassador in Beijing, said at the forum small and medium-sized IT enterprises in India, focusing on manufacturing and artificial intelligence, are seeking cooperation projects with Chinese companies. He said that this would also help Chinese companies find more IT solutions and improve competitiveness and efficiency.

Last year, a China-India IT industry cluster was launched in Guiyang as part of efforts to step up cooperation in software and IT between the Guizhou capital and India.

Shi Kaifen, assistant to the director of the big data development administration of Guizhou, said as an important junction of Sino-Indian cooperation, the province will continue to promote two-way cooperation and development.

In other parts of the country, a China-India IT corridor project was launched in March in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, with the aim of building an international services outsourcing cooperation platform.

France took part in the expo for the first time, starting with the Sino-French Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Forum on Monday. Chinese and French experts, company representatives, suppliers and purchasers in the AI industry discussed the revolution of AI in the two countries.

Guiyang big data development administration and France's leading AI hub signed an MOU for AI cooperation during the forum.

Antoine Couret, president of France AI Hub, said international cooperation is important for the future success of AI.

He hopes to cooperate with China and Guizhou to set up a data exchange platform and strengthen bilateral investment cooperation.

caoyingying@chinadaily.com.cn