Representatives from Datong's government and Beijing International Institute for Urban Development sign a partnership agreement in Datong. [Photo/Datong Daily]

A signing ceremony for the strategic cooperation agreement between Datong city government and Beijing International Institute for Urban Development -- China's first interdisciplinary, international think tank engaged in urban development research -- recently took place in Datong city. 

At the ceremony, Zhang Jifu, Party chief of Datong city, expressed his hope that the city will use the institute's advantages, resources and platform to carry out land planning, urban and rural planning, environmental protection planning and industrial planning. 

Zhang further stated that he hopes the city will utilize the think tank to enhance the communication of policies, development measures and integrated development, as well as establish platforms for industrial projects, innovative practices, technology transformation, talent cooperation and cultural and tourism integration. 

Lian Yuming, director of the institute, suggested taking Datong-Beijing cooperation and mutual assistance as Datong's primary strategy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). He also said that Datong-Beijing collaboration and mutual aid should be put into the agenda for Shanxi's transformation and development and listed in the scope of Beijing's poverty alleviation cooperation and support.

At the event, the two parties jointly signed a think tank service strategic cooperation agreement and founded the Beijing-Datong Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Strategic Research Center of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development Research Base.

The partnership was another measure for Datong to integrate into the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and deepen cooperation with Beijing.

The city has always attached great importance to collaboration with the nation's capital, especially in industry and project matchmaking sectors, to connect Shanxi province to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Early in November, the local government delegation visited Beijing International Institute for Urban Development to seek advice from experts on how to deeply integrate Datong into the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area's coordinated development and reached preliminary intention for cooperation.