AI expected to play bigger role in bolstering high-quality development

The congress, which features both online and offline activities this year, has grown to become a new gateway to China, showcasing the country's readiness to cooperate with the world, said Chen Zhemin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Tianjin Municipal Committee and head of the committee's Publicity Department.

"We strive to grow by 'bringing the world to Tianjin and opening Tianjin to the world'," Chen said, adding that the city sees the manufacturing industry as its backbone and intelligent manufacturing as a path to greater strength.

According to Chen, a large number of domestic and international companies have set up shops in Tianjin. In addition, numerous landmark projects have come to fruition in the city. The first four World Intelligence Congresses, for instance, witnessed the inking of 348 cooperation agreements, which involved a total investment of 353.2 billion yuan ($55 billion).

Chen said the city will be a pioneer in developing intelligent technologies, and will step up efforts to chart a new pattern of growth for the intelligent industry, encompassing sectors such as intelligent manufacturing, transportation and healthcare.