Red Star News:

Recently, the MIIT has released a notice to support the establishment of national leading zones for new artificial intelligence (AI) applications in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. What support will these leading zones get? What role will they play in the innovative development of China's AI industry? What plans do you have next for the construction and development of the leading zones? Thank you.

Tian Yulong:

Thank you for your questions. As you just mentioned, AI technology serves as a major driver for a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. The establishment of leading zones is just one of the important measures we have taken to implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to accelerate the integration of AI and the real economy. 

In 2019, the MIIT approved the establishment of three leading zones in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the Jinan-Qingdao area. These zones were built to conduct pilot trials in areas such as system and mechanism innovation as well as a superior policy environment and improved data sharing to explore new paths and gain experience. Recently, the MIIT approved leading zones in another five cities, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Together, the eight zones covering the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the Chengdu-Chongqing region, play a role in the exploration, innovation, and demonstration of China's developing AI industry. We will step up our efforts in the following ways. 

First, we will explore new mechanisms and energize the market. We will energize market entities by enhancing policy guidance, improving the market environment, and strengthening the talent pool, so as to gain experience and explore successful development models.

Second, we will bolster the leading role of technological application and accelerate the introduction and application of AI technology. AI's strengths lie in big data, the huge available market, and enormous application. How should we leverage these advantages? With the government, enterprises, and the AI industry working together, we will jointly promote the practical application of AI technology, introducing it first to areas such as intelligent transportation, intelligent healthcare, and intelligent education to create new engines of growth and foster new growth drivers. 

Third, we will stay committed to following development with distinctive features and the creation of an intelligent economy in accordance with local conditions. The intelligent economy is now growing rapidly, and instead of applying the same measures to different conditions, we should carry out integrated development with distinctive features in accordance with different industries, local conditions, and areas. In this regard, different leading zones have offered their own development models. For example, Shanghai's development zone has been turned into a pacesetter for the national AI industry, while the zone in Shandong features AI and smart manufacturing, and the zone in Shenzhen boasts a hash rate platform. All of these zones have played an important role in the demonstration and promotion of the AI industry.

In general, leading zones are where local governments set up platforms and enterprises pursue integrated development. We will focus on reform, innovation, and pertinent policy support as the top priorities for the government's work. Also, we will promote technological applications and industrial integration, and ensure the government and the market fulfill their roles. As long as we step up our efforts in the above aspects, we will fully promote the development of the AI industry. Meanwhile, we will strengthen international cooperation to enforce a healthy, sustainable, and safe development of the AI industry around the world. Thank you.