China saw robust growth of its information and communication technology (ICT) sector in the first quarter of 2026, as the country strengthened new-type information infrastructure construction, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said Tuesday.
During this period, China has achieved notable progress in building its information and communication infrastructure, with stronger network capabilities, wider internet coverage, and better services, which has further consolidated the foundation for the country's digital and intelligent transformation, an official of the ministry said at a press conference.
"By the end of March, China had a total of 4.958 million 5G base stations nationwide, and 32.01 million 10G PON ports capable of providing gigabit network services. 10-gigabit optical network pilot projects have been rolled out in 168 residential compounds, factories, and industrial parks across 86 cities. 5G-A (5G-Advanced) service coverage has extended to 330 cities. Meanwhile, the Mobile Internet of Things (MIoT) is expanding rapidly, connecting 2.948 billion terminals," said Xie Cun, director of the MIIT's Information and Communications Development Department.
At the same time, China's digital industry is also gaining momentum, according to the ministry.
"The total volume of telecommunications services increased 8.3 percent year on year in the first quarter, 0.6 percentage points faster than the same period last year. The total revenues of the software and information technology service industry increased by 11.7 percent year on year in the January-February period, with its growth rate up 1.8 percentage points from the previous year," said Zhang Yunming, vice minister of industry and information technology.
China's ICT sector logs robust growth in Q1
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi on Tuesday with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.
Wang is in New Delhi for the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security.
During the meeting, Modi said India and China are both ancient civilizations with a history of friendly exchanges spanning thousands of years, and the two countries held leading and dominant positions in the world for a long period of time.
Under the current circumstances, the two sides should carry forward their traditional friendship, maintain high-level exchanges, advance practical cooperation, and safeguard the common interests of Global South countries, Modi said.
India supports China's assumption of the BRICS rotating presidency next year, and is ready to work with China to promote the development of the cause of BRICS, he said.
Wang said China and India, as the two largest developing countries and important members of the Global South, should play an exemplary role in promoting solidarity and self-reliance among Global South countries.
China will continue to support India in fulfilling its responsibilities as the BRICS rotating chair and work with India to promote solid progress in BRICS cooperation, Wang noted.
Wang said China is ready to work with India to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, continuously enhance trust and dispel doubts, properly handle sensitive issues, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, maintain the positive momentum of China-India relations, and jointly advance their respective modernization processes.
This fully serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conforms to the common expectations of the international community, Wang said.
Wang attended the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security on the same day.
Indian PM meets China's top diplomat
