Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT

In a move that underscores the economic value of 5G technology, the world's first 5G-Advanced (5G-A) open-pit mine in Hulunbuir, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has started operating a fleet of 100 unmanned electric mining trucks, according to media reports on Sunday. This is seen as another example of how various advanced technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) are empowering the traditional mining sector and driving the digital transformation of conventional industries.

Rapid technological advancements in AI are transforming disciplines, economies and industries, and AI is becoming a field filled with international competition. The evolution of this sector is influenced by many factors, extending beyond cutting-edge technology to encompass broader aspects such as infrastructure, including energy, 5G networks and more.

The mining sector is not the sole industry adopting 5G technology. According to a CCTV News report, China has built and activated more than 4.395 million 5G base stations, integrating 5G applications into 86 out of 97 key national economic sectors. Building on the foundation of 5G, the faster and more advanced 5G-A networks are also being progressively implemented in various production and living scenarios. The introduction of 5G-A significantly boosts network speeds, making it more adept at handling complex applications that require enhanced connectivity. This includes everything from the Internet of Things and connected vehicles to high-end manufacturing processes.

According to media reports, China has built the world's largest information and communication network. As of the end of May 2024, China's 5G base stations represented 60 percent of the global total, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Moreover, advancements in 5G-A technology are accelerating the development of new information infrastructure. Some analysts view 5G-A as the second phase of 5G development and the initial stage of 6G research. Various regions in China are actively promoting the construction and application of 5G-A networks.

Meanwhile, AI is evolving at an incredibly fast pace. The swift expansion of AI applications has created new requirements for networks. The progression of 5G and associated technologies acts as a modern infrastructure system that enables efficient data flow and plays an important role in fueling the robust growth of the digital economy.

China's digital economy has seen steady development, becoming an increasingly significant part of the nation's economic landscape. Over the past year, the digital economy has delivered impressive results: the value-added of core digital industries accounted for approximately 10 percent of GDP, with significant advancements in integrated circuits, AI, industrial software and foundational software, according to a report on people.cn.

The digital economy has emerged as a highly innovative and dynamic sector within economic development, where international competition is intense. Against this backdrop, the US has overstretched the concept of national security, targeting Chinese semiconductor products and the AI industry with baseless allegations. However, these efforts have yielded minimal results in terms of containing China's progress due to a variety of complex reasons.

In addition to China's continuous technological progress and independent innovation, various statistics have shown that China has made steady progress in the construction of information infrastructure. This underscores a robust foundation for the digital economy, where the systematic expansion of digital infrastructure, including 5G networks, offers sustainable support for its growth.

The development of cutting-edge industries is often a complex systemic project, requiring not only technological advancements but also a substantial amount of infrastructure, both tangible and intangible, for support. While there is still a certain gap between China and the world's leaders in some of these advanced fields, it's evident that China is making steady progress in its pursuit. The country has undertaken extensive foundational work, including building the world's largest information and communication network and advancing 5G-A technology, among other steps. These types of digital infrastructure are assets that cannot be moved or blocked by any foreign country. 

China's efforts to develop its digital economy are comprehensive and multifaceted. These combined efforts are driving the sustainable development of China's digital economy, even in the face of challenges and external pressures.


The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn