Digital News

　　On October 24, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a press conference to present the guiding principles adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC. It was announced that the session had reviewed and adopted the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (hereinafter referred to as “the Recommendations”). The Recommendations make multiple references to the information and communications industry, covering areas such as the low-altitude economy, quantum computing, brain-computer interfaces, sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications, and artificial intelligence (AI). They clearly define the key areas of focus for the industry’s development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

　　According to Zheng Shanjie, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), building a modern industrial system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period requires both innovation-driven development and strengthening the infrastructure while enhancing efficiency. In terms of innovation-driven development, the Recommendations call for fostering new pillar industries and accelerating the development of strategic emerging industrial clusters, including new energy, new materials, aerospace, and the low-altitude economy. The Recommendations also emphasize a forward-looking approach to the layout of future industries, promoting quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and 6G mobile communications as new drivers of economic growth.

　　Regarding efforts to strengthen the infrastructure while enhancing efficiency, China already possesses the world’s largest networks of high-speed railways, expressways, ports, postal and courier services, power supply, and broadband infrastructure. The Recommendations outline measures to strengthen overall infrastructure planning, advance the construction of new types of infrastructure in a well-calibrated and proactive manner, and improve a modern, integrated transportation system. These initiatives aim to promote interconnected, coordinated, secure, and efficient infrastructure development, thereby providing stronger support for national modernization.

　　Yin Hejun, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of Science and Technology, gave an overview of China’s efforts in AI, technological innovation, and the development of new quality productive forces. He stated that China attaches great importance to AI and has been continuously fostering a sound innovation ecosystem to accelerate its development. First, continuous breakthroughs have been achieved in AI science and technology innovation. China has been strengthening strategic research and tackling key technological challenges in AI, producing a series of internationally influential achievements in areas such as foundational large models and humanoid robots. Second, the scale and quality of the AI industry have grown rapidly. By the end of 2024, the total number of AI enterprises in China had exceeded 4,500, with the industry continuing to expand and a collaborative innovation ecosystem taking shape at an accelerated pace. Third, AI has significantly empowered economic and social development. The “AI Plus” initiative has been deeply integrated into key sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, becoming a new engine of economic growth.

　　Yin emphasized that the Ministry of Science and Technology will faithfully implement the requirements set out in the Recommendations and continue to strengthen the top-level design and systematic deployment of AI during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Efforts will focus on several key areas: strengthening basic research and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies by developing new model algorithms and high-performance computing chips to solidify the technological foundation of AI development; advancing the “AI Plus” initiative to promote deep integration of AI with scientific and technological innovation, industrial development, consumption upgrading, and public wellbeing; improving AI governance by refining relevant laws, regulations, policy frameworks, application standards, and ethical guidelines to build a sound and comprehensive governance system; and promoting international exchange and cooperation so that AI becomes a global public good benefiting all humanity, fostering inclusive development and jointly building a global AI governance framework to address shared challenges.

　　In terms of leveraging scientific and technological innovation to drive the development of new quality productive forces, Yin Hejun stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will focus on cultivating and expanding emerging industries in areas such as next-generation information technology and artificial intelligence. It will also plan and develop future industries in frontier fields such as quantum technology and biotechnology, striving to seize the commanding heights of future science, technology, and industry. China will actively apply digital and intelligent technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, promoting their transition toward greater intelligence, sustainability, and integration. Yin further noted that China will advance the Digital China initiative in depth by building an open, shared, and secure national unified data market to promote the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy. Efforts will be made to accelerate innovation in digital and intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence, strengthen the efficient supply of computing power, algorithms, and data, and comprehensively implement the “AI Plus” initiative to empower all sectors of the economy and society.