China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, a major space and defense contractor, established an intelligent industries research center in Beijing on Friday, pledging to tap a promising market in this field.

An establishment ceremony was held at the headquarters of China Aerospace Systems Engineering Co, which administers the research center. An intelligent industries alliance was also set up at the ceremony to boost cooperation for the business, according to a statement from CASIC.

Understanding the benefits of intelligent industries, CASIC founded the research center to help fulfill the goal of building a "smart society" envisioned by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last year. The center is also tasked with servicing a wide range of sectors such as transportation, agriculture, tourism, environmental protection and food and drug security, the statement said.

It will help design CASIC's development plans in intelligent industries, form a business structure, develop and industrialize relevant technologies, as well as take part in demonstration projects.

The intelligent industries alliance, which initially consists of several academies and firms under CASIC, is set to build a partnership among members and to foster cooperation in research, development and marketing for intelligent industries, the statement read.