Representatives from GAC Group and Time Inc signed an agreement in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, June 30, 2017. The GAC Group becomes a premier partner of the Fortune Brainstorm Tech International, which is scheduled on Dec 5-6 in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The first-ever Fortune Brainstorm TECH International, an influential new conference on technology and innovation, will bring world leaders in the innovation economy together in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

For the past 16 years, the conference has been attended by the smartest, most innovative people in technology, media, entertainment and finance in Colorado in the United States.

The international version of the event, to be held Dec 5-6, will coincide with the 2017 Fortune Global Forum, which will also be held in Guangzhou and attended by the world's biggest companies and top leaders from China and beyond.

The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is going all out to develop emerging industries including new-generation information technology, artificial intelligence and biomedicine.

According to the organizers, the Brainstorm TECH International will become an annual event in Guangzhou.

On Friday, major carmaker GAC Group signed an agreement with Time Inc to become a premier partner in the Fortune Brainstorm TECH International in 2017 and 2018.

"The conference will help push forward development of the emerging industries in Guangzhou as it gathers resources from the world's technology space, providing an exchange and cooperative platform for local and international businesses," Time vice-president Steve Marcopoto said.

GAC's vehicles will be used as the official cars for the event.

"Priorities will be given to develop new energy vehicles with intelligent connection, which will be a trendy development in the automobile industry. We hope to develop and attract advanced technologies in the sector," Zeng Qinghong, chairman of GAC GROUP, said.