China's data industry is expected to achieve an average compound annual growth rate of more than 15 percent by 2029, positioning itself as a new growth engine for the country's digital economy, the National Data Administration said on Tuesday.
The growth target came in the wake of new policy guidelines issued by the central authorities to develop trusted data matrixes, help enterprises better leverage data resources, and promote high-quality growth in the data industry. These initiatives, launched in late November and early December, are designed to optimize the use of existing resources for deeper industrial transformation while injecting new momentum into the growth of digital economy.
"By 2029, the size of the data industry is expected to achieve an average compound annual growth of more than 15 percent. The sector is not only a focus of industrial transformation, but also a fertile ground for nurturing future industries. We will focus on promoting the integrated development of the data industry with data-intensive sectors including unmanned vehicles, embodied intelligence, and low-altitude economy, and accelerating technological innovation in digital-intelligence fusion to seize the initiative in development," Chen Ronghui, deputy head of the National Data Administration, told a press conference in Beijing.
As part of the efforts, the central government plans to establish at least 100 data matrixes solutions and optimal practices by 2028, which are expected to drive infrastructure investment expansion.
More policy support will be put in place to address the specific needs of data enterprises, Chen said.
"We will introduce more investment and financing policies to meet the requirements from data enterprises for policy guidance and support. The goal is to cultivate a group of enterprises in data resources, data technology, data services, data applications, data security, and data infrastructure, thereby stimulating innovation and vitality in the industry. In addition, we will also promote the efficient circulation and use of data, and lower data usage costs for small and medium-sized enterprises to ensure that they benefit most from data resources development and utilization," said Chen.
China aims to annually achieve at least 15 pct data industry growth by 2029
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
