The revenue of China's software industry exceeded 13 trillion yuan (about 1.78 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, contributing 4.4 percent to the nation's GDP, according to information released at the 4th China International Software Development Conference held in Beijing on Thursday.
"Last year, China's software business revenue reached 13.7 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 10 percent and a 44.2 percent growth compared to the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period," said Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Data from the MIIT also revealed a record high of over 2.8 million software copyright registrations, up 13 percent year-on-year.
In the first two months of this year, the revenue of information technology services maitained double-digit growth, reaching over 1.26 trillion yuan. Cloud computing and big data services generated 237.6 billion yuan in revenue, an 8.8 percent year-on-year increase.
Furthermore, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to further propel the industry's growth. By enhancing software development efficiency and quality while lowering technical barriers, AI is poised to transform the sector.
"An intelligent complex will integrate platform data, computing power, case studies, and tools to provide users with ready-made solutions," said Chen Baoguo, executive deputy secretary-general of the China Software Industry Association.
Chen predicts that AI will contribute to over 20 percent of annual growth in the software market over the next five years, driving the industry's intelligent upgrade and creating new growth opportunities.
China's software industry achieves robust growth last year
The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.
The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.
Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.
He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.
Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.
For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade
