(Yicai Global) Jan. 22 -- CITIC Group Corp. and internet titan Tencent Holdings Ltd. [HK:0700] inked a framework agreement Jan. 19, under which they will cooperate in cloud and Big Data, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other technical fields, and together blaze a path toward the digital transformation and industrial upgrade.

Capitalizing on the abundant industrial resources of CITIC and Tencent's internet-based technical expertise, the partnership will stress the Internet + solution to fuel in-depth integration and innovative development of the internet, improve business models, and diversify application scenarios, the agreement recites.

They will also improve their businesses pertinent to integrated financial services, communications and information services, culture and sports.

With a view to transforming itself into a digitalized platform, CITIC Group has committed to fully implementing the Internet + transformation strategy and building a wide array of ecosystems in its diversified business positioning, said Zhu Gaoming, its deputy general manager, at the signing.

Tencent will make available its internet platform, AI and other technologies and capabilities, and extensively partner with CITIC Group. Tencent believes that its cooperation will be vital in exploring the digital transformation and upgrading of industries and speeding the development of the digital economy, said Dowson Tong, the company's senior vice president.

CITIC Group has cooperated with Tencent before in many areas, e.g. investment and financing, asset management, telecommunication services and cultural publishing. The agreement will lift their partnership to an even higher level.