Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi said in Beijing on Monday that developing bilateral cooperation in the field of communication infrastructure, and employing the potentials of the artificial intelligence are the main objects of his visit to China.
Hashemi
said the visit was made at the official invitation of the Chinese Minister of
Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng, and added, “We have planned
several programs for this visit, including meetings and discussions with the
Chinese counterpart and other officials in the field of communications and
industries in China, as well as visits to its universities and advanced
industrial centers.”
Referring
to China's advances in new technologies such as the fifth generation of mobile
internet (5G), artificial intelligence and smart industries, Iran’s ICT
minister said, "Our goal is to exploit China's technological capacities to
have smart industries, especially in the electricity, oil and gas sectors, as
well as increase productivity in other industrial sectors of our country."
He also
said that following up on the agreements signed between Iran and China in
recent years is another important goal of the visit.
"Strategic
interactions with China, especially in the field of information technology, can
play a significant role in economic growth and the development of our country's
digital economy."
Hashemi
referred to the plans and tasks delegated to the ICT ministry and said, "Currently,
cooperation between Iran and China in the field of technology is at an
acceptable level, but there are more capacities that must be utilized in
strengthening bilateral interactions."
He
also introduced the development of communication infrastructure, smart cities,
energy consumption management, artificial intelligence, and information
processing infrastructure as serious needs of Iran and the most important areas
of cooperation between Tehran and Beijing.
"Very
useful interactions have started in this visit, and we hope they will bring
positive results for our country," Hashemi said.
Visit
to Zpark
On
the first day of his stay in China, the ICT minister visited major and
important centers of science, technology, and innovation.
These
visits included technology parks, specialized exhibitions, and digital innovation
centers, including Zpark. He was briefed about the activities, capabilities,
and technological projects of China.
Hashemi’s
visit to China is in line with the implementation of the strategic policies of
the ICT ministry in the field of developing technological relations with
friendly countries and within the framework of the diplomacy of technology.
Meetings
with senior Chinese government officials, holding specialized meetings with
managers of large technological companies, and visiting scientific and research
centers are on the agenda of Hashemi’s visit.
The
ICT minister is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the Beihang University in
Beijing on challenges and opportunities of the Artificial Intelligence.