SCIO press conference on development of industry and information technology in H1 2026

Jimu News:

The information and communications industry is a fundamental sector for economic and social development. Could you give us an overview of the sector's performance in the first half of this year, and outline the key areas where efforts will be focused to further advance the construction of new-generation telecommunication networks going forward? Thank you.

Wang Weiming:

Thank you for your questions. I would like to invite Mr. Xie to answer them.

Xie Cun:

Thank you for your questions. In the first half of the year, the total volume of telecommunication services increased by 7.9% year on year. The information and communications industry as a whole demonstrated a sound performance, marked by steady improvement across four key dimensions. First, infrastructure became ever-better able to sustain development. By the end of June, we had built 5.102 million 5G base stations and 32.86 million 10G passive optical network (PON) ports capable of providing gigabit network services. The commercial deployment of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) networks was further promoted, and 10-gigabit optical networks were piloted in residential communities, factories, and industrial parks. China's intelligent computing power reached 2,185 EFLOPS, a year-on-year increase of 177%. Second, the effectiveness of integrated applications steadily increased. Information and communications technologies have deeply empowered the real economy, with over 80,000 virtual private 5G networks built. 5G and gigabit optical networks have been applied across 94 major categories of the national economy, with more than 26,000 "5G + Industrial Internet" projects under construction and 1,260 classified, graded and distinctive 5G factories established. Third, industrial innovation capacity has been steadily strengthened. The variety of 5G-enabled smart terminals continued to expand, with AI-powered smartphones, computers, smart robots, AI glasses, and AI toys emerging as new highlights in IT consumption. We have approved the trial spectrum in the 6GHz band for 6G testing and accelerated the second phase of 6G technology trials. Fourth, the open development has been steadily advanced. The pilot program to expand the opening up in value-added telecom services has yielded significant results in attracting and utilizing foreign investment. To date, the number of foreign-invested telecom companies has reached 3,219, up 23.9% year on year.

This year, the CPC Central Committee has made decisions and plans for the construction of "six networks." We are currently conducting research into the construction of the next-generation communications networks. What is new about the networks? From our understanding, there are four main aspects: First, the connected objects have expanded from traditional individual users to diverse entities such as people, machines, physical objects and embodied intelligence. Second, the coverage has broken through the traditional ground limitations and expanded to an integrated, all-domain coverage spanning space, air, ground and sea. Third, the connectivity capabilities have achieved significant improvements, including more predictable and stable performance, to better meet the differentiated needs of industry applications. Fourth, the network functions have evolved from simple information transmission to a deep integration of multiple capabilities such as communications, sensing, computing, intelligence and security. It can be said that the next-generation communications networks are not just a traditional network upgrade, but a key innovation in digital information infrastructure for the intelligent era.

Next, the MIIT will prioritize the planning and construction of the next-generation communications networks as a key driver for the development of the information and communications industry. By leveraging the industry's 15th Five-Year Plan as a starting point, it will deepen research, strengthen overall coordination, and improve policies, focusing on three key areas.

First, we will focus on the construction and deployment of the networks. We will coordinate the construction of basic networks, space networks, international networks and converged networks, promote the large-scale commercial use of 5G-A and 10-gigabit optical networks, continuously extend the reach of international undersea fiber-optic cables, accelerate the construction of new industrial networks, and form an infrastructure system that meets the needs of the intelligent economy and intelligent society.

Second, we will focus on providing industrial support and empowerment. We will drive advances in innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies such as 6G mobile communication, ultra-high-speed optical communication, undersea fiber-optic cables, and satellite communication, accelerate the development of related products, and support the high-quality construction and deployment of the next-generation communications networks. We will also emphasize the principal role of enterprises in technological innovation, leverage the roles of industrial platforms, research institutes and industry associations, and achieve efficient synergy between the innovation chain and the industrial chain.

Third, we will focus on promoting innovative applications. We will deepen the application of 5G and gigabit optical networks in key industries, and innovate new application scenarios and models. We will also deepen the integration and development of brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, intelligent connected vehicles with 5G-A/6G and satellite internet. Leveraging the supporting role of next-generation communications networks as a digital foundation, we will collaboratively empower the integrated application innovation of water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, urban underground pipeline networks and logistics networks. Thank you.