On June 10th, the 2021 BRICS Think Tank International Symposium, co-sponsored by the China Council for the BRICS Think Tank Cooperation and the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, with the theme of “Joining Hands to Build an Innovation Center to Create a Model of BRICS Cooperation” was held in Xiamen. More than 200 think tank experts, scholars and industry representatives from the BRICS countries discussed the construction of the BRICS innovation center through online and offline methods, and jointly sought practical cooperation among the BRICS countries.

Xiamen is the venue for the ninth meeting of the leaders of the BRICS countries. In December last year, the innovation center of the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution was officially launched here. This year is the first year for the construction of the BRICS Innovation Center.

In the keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Guo Yezhou, Chairman of the China Council for BRICS Think Tank Cooperation and Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, shared some ideas and thoughts on the construction of the BRICS Innovation Center by the China Council. He addressed that to build the BRICS Innovation Center, we must adhere to true multilateralism, uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strengthen unity, collaboration and strategic docking, and create a win-win and shared cooperation platform. We must persist in open innovation, tap the potential of the BRICS countries in the new generation of information technology, deepen industrial cooperation, integrate innovative resources, and create a pioneering zone for innovation cooperation. It is necessary to adhere to the “three-wheel drive”, focus on the three major areas of policy coordination, talent training, and project development, and create a key link for pragmatic cooperation. It is also important to adhere to sustainable development and realize the “carbon peak and carbon neutral” roadmaps respectively through cooperation and create a new benchmark for green development.

On behalf of the Xiamen Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, Zhao Long, member of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Xiamen Municipal Party Committee, expressed warm congratulations on the convening of the seminar and extended a warm welcome to the guests attending the meeting in Xiamen. He mentioned that Xiamen hopes to work with the BRICS think tanks to uphold the BRICS partnership spirit of “openness, tolerance, cooperation, and win-win”, be a good “staff” to study and put forward constructive and operable policy recommendations; be a good “promoter” to tell the story of BRICS cooperation, and spread the voice of BRICS development; be a good “liaison” to sow the seeds of friendship, build bridges of cooperation, and promote the continuous deepening of exchanges and expansion of cooperation among BRICS countries.

Huang Haikun, the vice governor of Fujian Province, expressed that to build the BRICS innovation center in Xiamen is a major historical mission given to Fujian and Xiamen by the Party Central Committee and the State Council. He hopes that everyone can give full play to the role of think tanks in gathering talents, gather the wisdom of BRICS, and work together to build the Xiamen BRICS Innovation Center into a landmark and exemplary cooperation platform for the BRICS countries under the framework of the new industrial revolution partnership.

Anil Kishola, Deputy President of the New Development Bank, announced in his speech that the New Development Bank will actively support the construction of the BRICS innovation center, share best practices and experience, and help the BRICS cooperation and innovation base construction.

Jin Xin, Secretary-General of the China Council for BRICS Think Tank Cooperation and Director of the Research Office of International Department Central Committee of CPC, presided over the opening ceremony. The leaders of the relevant departments of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the leaders of the BRICS think tanks Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa also gave speeches or video speeches at the opening ceremony. Xiamen City leaders Chen Qiuxiong, Huang Wenhui, Huang Yanqiang, Huang Xiaozhou, Lin Jian and Huang Guobin attended the opening ceremony.

At the seminar held that day, participants from the BRICS think tanks, business, and financial circles conducted in-depth discussions on topics such as promoting the construction of the BRICS innovation center, promoting investment and trade facilitation, and promoting financial innovation cooperation.

A number of guests pointed out that the new round of technological revolutions and industrial changes such as artificial intelligence, big data, and quantum communications have brought new opportunities and new key links to BRICS innovation cooperation. The construction of the BRICS innovation center should take digitization, intelligence, and networking as important development directions, and strive to promote pragmatic cooperation in the fields of digital economy, smart manufacturing, and green and low-carbon.