China bets on AI-manufacturing integration to narrow digital-economy gap with US
Beijing’s new five-year plan calls for digital economy to account for bigger share of GDP, backed by 28 major projects, 5G upgrades and data-focused industrial policy
China’s policymakers want the digital economy to account for 12.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, as Beijing accelerates its push to build a modern industrial system anchored in advanced manufacturing.
Premier Li Qiang, speaking during the opening session of the National People’s Congress, said China “must build a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone”.
“We will pursue greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, strengthen original innovation and make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, while advancing the development of a digital China,” Li said.
This year alone, the government plans to upgrade 5G networks and connect factory equipment to enable more automated, digitalised and intelligent production systems, while developing national advanced manufacturing clusters.