China now has the world's largest 5G network following accelerated infrastructure construction for the Internet over the past 12 months, according to the 2024 China Internet Development Report issued by the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies on Thursday.
The report was released during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, which started on Wednesday in Wuzhen Town of east China's Zhejiang Province.
The report says China had 3.8 million 5G base stations by the end of June, covering the entire country with a penetration rate of 5G users exceeding 60 percent. 5G technology has been applied to 74 industries. Key industries such as manufacturing, mining, electricity and healthcare have witnessed rapid 5G development over the past 12 months.
Besides 5G, China is also spearheading the infrastructure construction for gigabit Internet with the country's gigabit Internet users accounting for more than 70 percent globally, according to the report.
In addition to the report on China's internet development, the publisher also released the 2024 World Internet Development Report, which highlights global progress in upgrading existing Internet infrastructure, and the acceleration of innovation in emerging digital technology. It also warns that global cybersecurity remains fragile as crimes have increased significantly.
The first WIC was held in 2014 and it has now become the largest and highest-level Internet conference in China. Every year, representatives of government departments, international organizations and leading internet companies from more than 100 countries and regions gather in Wuzhen to discuss the development and future of the Internet.
China develops world's largest 5G network: report
China's development blueprint for the 2026-2030 period will create strong market opportunities for industries worldwide, said Judy Marks, president and CEO of American elevator maker Otis, in Beijing on Sunday. The China Development Forum 2026 began on Sunday in Beijing. With the theme of "China in Its 15th Five-Year Plan Period: Advancing High-Quality Development and Creating New Opportunities Together," the two-day event is bringing together global officials, industry leaders, and experts for 13 thematic sessions and a series of closed-door discussions, covering topics including new trends in consumption growth, green and low-carbon transition, the development of future industries, and the industrial application of artificial intelligence (AI).
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the event, Marks shared her insights on the significant role of China's research capabilities and market environment for the global economy.
She said that Otis's research and development center in China, leveraging local resources, is well-positioned to advance its innovation strategy.
"So I would tell you to us in China, it's an innovation hub and an agility engine. And, that really describes China for us. We do work in China for China, but we also do both manufacturing and development and research for the rest of the world. And China, in Shanghai, has our largest development team of anywhere in the world. It makes us go faster. It's AI and digital driven -- and it really allows us to set the benchmark," said Marks.
She said that China is advancing rapidly in areas including smart cities and digital infrastructure, developments that will bring new opportunities and shape the future of the global elevator industry.
"Now to us, the world is digital and connected. They're the two highest priorities we have. If an elevator is part of an ecosystem in the building, we can share information with transportation systems, with energy systems. As China pursues even more of a low carbon world, our elevators actually push power back into the building and capture power when they break with our regenerative drives," she said.
Speaking of China's recently-approved 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), aimed at expanding high-level opening up and driving high-quality development, Marks described it as highly encouraging for multinational companies.
"I would tell you everything we see in the 15th Five-Year Plan is encouraging: high-quality development, which is a commitment from the government and the whole ecosystem to serve its citizens, digitalization, urban renewal -- all of this combines. It's created a large market for a company like Otis. It's where we're going to invest, and it's in sync with our strategy and our mission," she said.
China's development blueprint brings opportunities to global industries: Otis CEO
