The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region will conduct multi-level cooperation and exchange with the Alibaba Group in the sectors of e-commerce, cloud computing and big data in various forms, according to a strategic cooperation framework agreement signed by both parties on May 22.

The two sides agreed to jointly build Ningxia into a pivotal point in the China-Arab States Internet Economic Pilot Zone along the Silk Road Economic Belt. Li Jianhua, secretary of CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee and Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group, both attended the signing ceremony.

Li expressed that Ningxia is now accelerating cloud computing and e-commerce industry development to enhance the Inland Opening-up Economic Pilot Zone construction and improve sponsorship of the China-Arab State Expo. He expected that Alibaba could take part in building the China-Arab State cross-border e-commerce platform to form an Internet Silk Road connecting China with Arab States. He also hoped that Alibaba could help build a unified digitalized service platform featuring government and civil affairs for Ningxia.

Jack Ma said that Ningxia possesses policy and geographic advantages in developing cloud computing and cross-border e-commerce and Alibaba is willing to help promote any future big data development in Ningxia.