Shanxi Science and Technology Media Group of Press and Publication signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Beijing Xinfadi Group, the capital's largest wholesaler on March 31, to push forward the construction of a rural e-station service center and an information center in the area.

The signing ceremony begins in Beijing on March 31. [Photo/Xinhua]

The rural e-station is an online-to-offline (O2O) service platform initiated by Shanxi Media Group and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) in 2015, which mainly provides technological support and agricultural information to rural residents.

People can not only get practical information and professional guidance on the official website, but also visit service centers set up in rural areas to learn scientific and technological information.

It has been included into CAST's science popularization project for the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) and is expected to promote economic and cultural development in rural areas.

According to the agreement, Shanxi Media Group will establish a partnership with Beijing Xinfadi Group sharing information regarding the agricultural product market, the construction of an O2O platform for agricultural products on the e-station, and the promotion of an agricultural exhibition.

Hao Jianxin, vice-president of Shanxi Association for Science and Technology, speaks at the ceremony. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Shanxi Media Group will take full advantage of Xinfadi as the major wholesaler in the area to provide accurate and timely information to e-stations around the country," said Hao Jianxin, vice-president of Shanxi Association for Science and Technology.

"We will hold agricultural fairs to help alleviate poverty and a series of technological and cultural events to promote the agricultural industry," he added.