China's information and communications technology (ICT) industry will maintain growth in 2025, with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a major booster to the sector, according to a forecast report released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) on Monday.
The latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) indicated steady growth in China's telecom sector in the first 11 months of 2024, with telecom revenues and total business volume rising by 2.6 percent and 10 percent year on year, respectively.
On Monday, the CAICT shared its forecast for 2025, predicting that the information and communications industry will sustain its growth trend, with the AI Plus initiative exerting more and more effects.
The country's government work report released in March this year unveiled an AI Plus initiative, a strategic move designed to propel the digital economy's expansion and spearhead the transformation and modernization of manufacturing sectors.
In an interview with China Central Television, Wang Zhiqin, vice president of the CAICT, said AI will continue drive the development of the relevant sectors going forward.
"In the next three years, China's ICT industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8 percent. AI development has driven the advancement of computing power, chips, commuting terminals and AI networks. We hope the AI Plus initiative will lead to the establishment of pilot projects in key industries and scenarios," she said.
The Central Economic Work Conference held in mid December said the country will launch the AI Plus initiative next year.
Industry experts say they believe this initiative will first target sectors with abundant data conditions, such as research, industrial manufacturing, Internet of Vehicles and healthcare.
MIIT officials revealed that China's computing power now ranks the second globally, with intelligent computing accounting for more than 30 percent of the total.
"We will make forward-thinking arrangements for cutting-edge technologies such as 6G, AI and quantum information to promote in-depth integration of industrial big models at all stages, including research and development, production, pilot testing, service, and management, helping enterprises in achieving smart transformation, digital upgrades and network connectivity," said Zhang Yunming, Vice Minister of the MIIT.
Furthermore, experts pointed out that the widespread application of AI will place higher demands on network infrastructure. A major focus for the upcoming year will be the development of intelligent computing wide-area networks, which are crucial for supporting AI-driven innovations.
AI to boost growth of China's ICT sector in 2025: report
A survey conducted by China Global Television Network (CGTN) has revealed that more than half of global respondents believe they benefit more from trade with China than with the United States.
The United States has launched a tariff war against the world, while its trade negotiations with multiple countries have made little progress. The capricious nature of the U.S. government has led the international community to develop a normalized sense of doubt and distrust toward the U.S. According to the results of a global public opinion survey published by CGTN on Sunday, among 31,004 respondents, 51.8 percent believe they benefit more from trade with China, while 48.1 percent of European respondents consider the new U.S. administration untrustworthy.
In the survey, 62.9 percent of global respondents criticized U.S. domestic and foreign policies for seriously undermining the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. Among European respondents, this view was shared by 67.7 percent. Similarly, 64.3 percent of respondents aged 18 to 24, 64 percent of those aged 25 to 34, and 65.9 percent of those aged 35 to 44 held the same opinion.
Additionally, 75.5 percent of global respondents stated that economic coercion has become a "standard feature" of the "America First" policy. Meanwhile, 47.6 percent criticized the United States for using tariffs to accelerate decoupling from other countries, severely damaging the global economy. Furthermore, 65.9 percent believe that the United States is attempting to dominate the world.
In response to what it calls the United States' extremist economic bullying, the Chinese government has taken firm countermeasures and, in a responsible manner, agreed to engage in talks with the U.S. In a comparative survey on the international influence of China and the United States, 51.8 percent of global respondents said they benefit more from trade with China, while only 19.4 percent said the same about the U.S. In France, 33.7 percent favored trade with China, compared to 23.9 percent for the U.S.; in Germany, 34 percent preferred China, while 21.5 percent chose the U.S.; and in Australia, 45.8 percent selected China, compared to 22.3 percent for the U.S.
Moreover, 35.8 percent of global respondents expressed a stronger preference for cooperating with China, compared to 27.4 percent who preferred the United States. Meanwhile, 35.7 percent said that China has fulfilled its responsibilities as a major power, while only 26.7 percent said the same about the U.S.
The survey was conducted by CGTN in collaboration with Renmin University of China, through the Institute for International Communication of the New Era. It involved 31,004 respondents from 41 countries, including developed nations such as the UK, France, and Australia, as well as developing countries like Thailand, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and Egypt.
Over half of global respondents say they benefit more from trade with China than with US: survey
