Inclusion, AI literacy and accessibility focus of China internet reports

China released two flagship internet reports at the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit on Wednesday, outlining progress in digital development at home and abroad.

The China Internet Development Report 2026 and the World Internet Development Report 2026 were published at a news conference by the China Academy of Cyberspace Studies (CACS).

Asked by CGTN how digital development can benefit all people more fairly, a CACS representative said improving digital inclusion is a central goal of China's digital society drive. Over the past year, the representative said, China has accelerated efforts to close the urban-rural digital gap and improve digital skills nationwide.

Rural connectivity has been a key focus. By the end of 2025, China's rural broadband users reached 204 million, as network infrastructure continued to expand into rural areas. The representative said digital village programs are being deepened to support rural development.

The representative also highlighted new efforts to prepare the public for the artificial intelligence (AI) era. For the first time, improving public AI literacy has been made a priority, with a nationwide digital literacy campaign in May organized around everyday life, work, learning and innovation.

For senior residents, China is promoting smarter elderly care services, including remote medical consultations and chronic disease management, to help seniors access digital services more easily.

For people with disabilities, authorities are encouraging companies to develop accessible hardware and software and are promoting practical examples of digital products and services designed for disabled users. Local initiatives, including smart services for disabled people and employment data platforms, aim to improve support through digital tools.