Bauhinia Magazine:

In recent years, the integrated application of ICT has deepened and injected new impetus into high-quality economic and social development. What specific roles has it played? And what are the considerations for follow-up work? Thank you.

Zhao Zhiguo:

Thanks for your questions. The ICT sector is the strategic, fundamental, and pioneering sector to support economic and social development. Over the years, with the full implementation of the national cyber development strategy and the Digital China strategy, we have seen a significant improvement in the quality of ICT services. The integration of ICT into areas related to the national economy and social development has continued to be advanced. It mainly has three features.  

First, the integrated application of ICT has empowered the real economy at a deeper level. The new generation of information technology, such as 5G, has been deeply integrated into key areas of the real economy, including manufacturing, transportation, and tourism. Recently, the MIIT has worked with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to introduce policies and documents concerning 5G smart tourism, actively expanding the new space for tourism development. 5G technology and artificial intelligence have been quickly applied to core production links. Construction of 5G-connected factories has been accelerated, bringing about profound changes in the production mode and pattern in the manufacturing sector.

Second, the integrated application of ICT has contributed to the construction of a digital society at a higher level. The application of smart medical care has been promoted at a faster pace. Over 80% of the pilot programs for 5G enabled healthcare services have been covered by 5G networks. Initial results were delivered in the development of smart education. The application of 5G technology in scenarios such as interactive online teaching and vocational training has continued to be deepened. Steady progress has been made in the construction of digital villages. Recently, we have worked with multiple departments to issue policies and documents, quickly advancing rural construction, governance and industrial development through digitalization. The digital government governance service efficacy has been significantly improved. 

Third, the integrated application of ICT has improved people's lives in more areas. Mobile internet applications have thrived, reaching 2.61 million. That is to say, we use such apps in study, work, and life and their number has amounted to 2.61 million, greatly facilitating people's lives. We have launched campaigns to promote information consumption in districts and counties to contribute to rural revitalization, built platforms for exchanges and interaction between urban and rural areas, and helped farmers to increase their income. Digital technologies have been adapted for the convenience of senior citizens and have met the most prominent and pressing needs of senior groups aged 60 and above for digital life. The online retail sales in the first quarter nationwide stood at 3.3 trillion yuan, up 8.6% year on year. 

This year marks the last year for carrying out several three-year action plans, such as the coordinated development of "Double Gigabit" networks, the comprehensive and coordinated development of 5G technologies, and the development of new types of data centers. Next, after completing the missions, we will make good use of integrated applications to continue to create growth divers for industries.

First, we will improve the supply of new technologies and products to create a strong engine for empowerment through integrated applications. We will carry out the action of empowering through enhanced computing infrastructure and promote the cloud-edge-terminal collaboration and integration of computing, storage, and operation. We will focus on 5G, integrated circuits and other key areas, and improve the supply of basic software, hardware, and core electronic components. We will strengthen the generic technology R&D and industrialized and coordinated development of artificial intelligence. 

Second, we will strengthen application guidance in key sectors and areas to set up the primary platform for empowerment through integrated applications. We will carry out the projects for the large-scale application of 5G technologies and guide the release of the guidelines for developing the 5G sector to push forward its application in industries. We will guide national pilot zones for innovative AI applications to offer open access to typical application scenarios to promote the upgrading of technologies and products.

Third, we will promote small, medium, and large enterprises to pursue development through greater synergy to forge the principal force for empowerment through integrated applications. We will cultivate a group of leading enterprises in industrial chains, specialized enterprises that use sophisticated technologies to produce new and unique products as well as champion companies in the manufacturing industry segments, and develop a hierarchical development pattern. We will encourage large enterprises to build digital platforms and share data resources and capacities with SMEs to lower the thresholds for the transformation of SMEs. Thank you!