CIFTIS: Beijing to advance digital infrastructure to power AI growth

China's capital city Beijing is taking steps to boost its digital economy and reinforce its position as a global technology leader. At the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Sun Lixin, a senior official from the Beijing Communications Administration, outlined a comprehensive plan to expand network infrastructure and accelerate the "AI+" initiative.

Sun detailed Beijing's three-part strategy to build upon these national efforts.

Enhancing infrastructure: The city will continue to promote the adoption of 5G and gigabit optical networks while piloting new 10-gigabit networks. A key focus is the strategic development and layout of computing centers to increase the supply and efficiency of AI-specific computing power.

Modernizing industry governance: Authorities will cultivate emerging industries like AI, solidifying Beijing's competitive advantage in IT.

Implementing the "AI+" action plan: This initiative will drive the deep integration of AI across various sectors. Emphasis will be placed on applying AI throughout the manufacturing process, effectively merging industrial internet technologies with cutting-edge innovations such as large AI models to help businesses lower costs and boost efficiency.

The announcement came as China advances its "East Data, West Computing" project, a massive national initiative launched in 2022. This ambitious plan aims to rebalance the country's digital landscape by moving data processing from the densely populated, energy-intensive eastern provinces to the resource-rich western regions. By leveraging the west's abundant and cost-effective renewable energy sources, the project seeks to create a more efficient, sustainable and powerful national computing network. The government has already established eight national computing hubs and 10 data center clusters to support this goal, with an eye toward improving overall energy efficiency and reducing the digital divide between the country's eastern and western regions.