China has announced a groundbreaking plan to significantly upgrade its data infrastructure, which includes enhancing the 5G network, accelerating innovation in 6G technology, and developing a national data infrastructure designed to strengthen the digital economy and modernize various sectors through digitalization. This initiative is being spearheaded by the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Data Administration, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aiming to not only optimize national governance but also elevate the modernization and digitalization of a wide range of industries.
The strategic effort underscores the importance of research and development (R&D) and technological innovation for 6G technology, in tandem with enhancing the current 5G network to the 5G-A level. A major aim is the complete interconnection of internet data, enabling effective data circulation and application. By 2029, China intends to have laid the foundational structure for its data infrastructure, incorporating thorough systems for data circulation and usage, ecosystems for data-related industries, and efficient mechanisms for the construction and operation of data infrastructures. These efforts reflect China’s vision for a “digital China,” driven by advanced data infrastructure technology.
Strategic Goals and Objectives
At the core of this ambitious plan is the focus on technological innovation, prioritizing the development of 6G technology while progressively improving the existing 5G network to achieve what is termed 5G-A. The overarching objectives of this initiative include seamlessly interconnecting data on the internet and facilitating its effective circulation and application across various sectors. By the target year of 2029, China aims to have established a comprehensive foundational structure for its data infrastructure. This will encompass well-developed systems for data circulation and usage, thriving ecosystems for data-related industries, and robust mechanisms to support the construction and operational efficiencies of these infrastructures.
Furthermore, the plan envisages the creation of a unified national data market characterized by a well-coordinated ledger system that ensures orderly data circulation and shared applications. This effort promises greater data integration across different levels, regions, systems, departments, and business sectors. China’s strategic vision seeks to align the nation’s digital growth with societal needs, thus bolstering national governance and promoting economic modernization through digitalization.
Enhancing Technological Capabilities
As research and development efforts intensify, the plan emphasizes significant advancements in data processing, transmission, and storage technologies. This enhancement is vital to boosting the overall technological capabilities of the system while also aiming to reduce the costs associated with constructing such advanced data infrastructure. Another key aspect of the plan is its commitment to promoting green energy usage in computing. This strategy aligns with China’s environmental goals of reaching carbon peak and achieving carbon neutrality. By leveraging large-scale wind and solar power bases, China aims to convert green renewable energy into sustainable computing power, ultimately reducing power consumption required for processing large language models and other data-intensive applications.
The robust plan also outlines the need for a highly reliable communication network, guaranteeing latency and bandwidth stability alongside excellent transmission quality. As part of this endeavor, China will deploy an integrated space-earth satellite-based internet system, ensuring a balanced layout of international communication gateway bureaus throughout the eastern, central, and western regions. This extensive setup will enhance the expansion of international submarine and terrestrial cable information channels, providing a solid framework for a resilient and efficient national communication infrastructure.
Infrastructure Development and Integration
In pursuit of vastly improved connectivity, China plans to promote the establishment of 400G/800G high-bandwidth all-optical connections between national hub nodes and users. Telecom operators are also expected to play a crucial role in enhancing what are dubbed “public transmission arteries.” These efforts are pivotal in fostering the deep integration of mobile networks across various sectors. High-quality data centers are envisioned in critical areas such as agriculture, industry, transportation, finance, and education, which will significantly bolster the country’s data handling capacity. This integration spells a substantial upgrade to China’s existing data and communication infrastructure, further propelling the nation’s capacity for digital innovation.
Reflecting on recent achievements, China has made commendable strides in building network and computing infrastructure, now standing as a global leader. The notable success in deploying 5G technology and fostering related standards has laid down a robust base for future developments, particularly for 6G technology. By the end of November 2024, China had constructed an impressive 4.19 million 5G base stations, integrating 5G technology across 74 out of 97 major national economic categories. With over 15,000 “5G+ industrial internet” projects nationwide, the impact is visible as the manufacturing sector advances towards greater levels of intelligence and sustainability.
National Data Market and Green Energy
A significant component of China’s plan is the establishment of a national data market designed to facilitate the seamless development, circulation, and application of data. This integrated market will be supported by a national data “ledger,” ensuring orderly and efficient data circulation as well as shared applications across various sectors—including industrial, governmental, and commercial fields. The introduction of green energy usage in computing aligns seamlessly with China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. By harnessing large-scale wind and solar power bases, China aims to transform green renewable energy sources into sustainable computing power, significantly curbing energy consumption in power-intensive calculations such as those required for large language models.
This dual emphasis on creating a national data market while remaining committed to green energy efficiency outlines a holistic approach to advancing data infrastructure. This strategy is intended to foster a sustainable and eco-friendly data ecosystem, ensuring the long-term viability of China’s burgeoning digital economy. The commitment to green energy utilization reflects China’s broader objectives of environmental conservation and sustainability, key elements that are expected to shape the nation’s future data infrastructure.
Future Prospects and Global Leadership
China has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly enhance its data infrastructure. This includes upgrading the 5G network, advancing innovation in 6G technology, and developing a national data framework designed to bolster the digital economy and modernize various sectors through digital means. The initiative, led by the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Data Administration, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aims to optimize national governance and elevate industry digitization.
This strategic effort highlights the crucial role of research and development (R&D) and technological innovation in 6G technology, alongside the enhancement of the current 5G network to the more advanced 5G-A level. A significant goal is to achieve complete interconnectivity of internet data to facilitate effective data flow and application. By 2029, China plans to establish its foundational data infrastructure, incorporating comprehensive systems for data flow and usage, nurturing ecosystems for data-driven industries, and creating efficient mechanisms for the construction and operation of these infrastructures. These efforts embody China’s vision for a “digital China,” propelled by cutting-edge data infrastructure technology.