Wuxi, Jiangsu province, signs a deal with Tsinghua University to deepen comprehensive cooperation on March 12 in Beijing. [Photo from tsinghua.edu.cn]

China's prestigious Tsinghua University and the Wuxi government signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in a variety of areas on March 12 in Beijing, according to tsinghua.edu.cn.

According to the deal, Tsinghua University and Wuxi will jointly build a supercomputer center in the city and promote the development of the Wuxi Research Institute of Applied Technologies, Tsinghua University.

In addition, the two will both invest in a fund designed to support emerging industries totaling 16 billion yuan ($2.5 billion).

Li Xiaomin, Wuxi Party secretary met with Qiu Yong, principal of Tsinghua University, and addressed the signing ceremony.

Both sides pledged further cooperation on technical R&D, project cooperation, achievement transformation and platform construction around Wuxi's development demands and industrial structures, making good use of Tsinghua University's scientific research and talented personnel.

At the signing ceremony, Li spoke of the good relationship between Wuxi and Tsinghua University. "Early in 2005, Wuxi signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with the university to set up Wuxi Research Institute of Applied Technology, Tsinghua University, greatly promoting the city’s technology innovation and industrial upgrading," Li said.

Li mentioned the city's remarkable success across modern industries and laid out its future industrial landscape of building a new standard for modern industrial development featuring intelligent service, green environment and high-end technology.

He expected the cooperation this time would promote technical exchange, financial innovation and talent fostering between the city and the university through resource sharing.

Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong said Tsinghua and Wuxi have good foundations for collaboration. "Wuxi will carry forward the craftsmanship spirit of striving for the best for industries and Tsinghua deepen reform and prioritize internationalization strategies and innovation-driven services," Qiu said.

Wuxi Party secretary Li Xiaomin (fourth from left), Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong (fourth from right), former minister of Ministry of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua (central), Wuxi mayor Wang Quan (third from left), executive vice mayor Huang Qin (second from left), vice mayor Cao Jiazhong (first from left) and secretary-general Ye Qinliang (fifth from right) attend the signing ceremony. [Photo from tsinghua.edu.cn]