A signing ceremony between Wuxi and ZTE is held in Shenzhen on Aug 17. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The Wuxi government and Chinese telecom giant ZTE signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen on Aug 17, with the aim of promoting the development of a new-generation information technology industry.

The two sides will cooperate on the innovation of 5G industry and application, the construction of new infrastructure, smart city and digital government, and the integration of industrial and supply chains.

Gao Yaguang, deputy mayor of Wuxi, said the city has developed a strong industrial base for internet of things, integrated circuits and 5G, while ZTE has supported the metro construction and internet of vehicles development in Wuxi. The two sides will cooperate more closely in terms of the construction of a smart city, advanced manufacturing and 5G, according to Gao.

ZTE CEO Xu Ziyang spoke highly of the business environment in Wuxi, which has long been an industrial leader in the country and continues to lead with its development of advanced technology, specifically the internet of things.

Xu said that ZTE has been committed to innovative production research and development, having improved product competitiveness and production efficiency in recent years. The company will work to attract more related projects to Wuxi and accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries in the city.

Wuxi was tasked by the State Council in 2009 to construct China's national sensor network innovation demonstration zone, which would support the development of the digital economy. The city is now at the forefront of the country's technological development and application following a decade of development.