TAIYUAN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Siemens PLM Software Company will build an "Industry 4.0" intelligent manufacturing innovation center in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province.

A cooperative agreement has been signed between Siemens, Shanxi Transformation and Comprehensive Reform Demonstration Zone and a local smart data company.

According to the plan, Siemens will provide research and development for Chinese manufacturers through the innovation center as Shanxi pushes forward digitalization of its companies.

Last year, Siemens said it would work with the Chinese government authorities and research institutions on a new robotics center. The company currently employs around 4,500 scientists and engineers in China.

Robotics and the automatization of industry are areas which the government is heavily promoting under the framework of its "Made in China 2025" initiative.

German industry is seen as a potential partner in this context.