Importance of Quickly Building an Integrated National Computing Network

Developing an integrated national computing network is a strategic measure that responds to the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. It is also a vital step in developing new quality productive forces, growing the digital economy, promoting coordinated regional development and flows of data, and meeting our commitments with regard to reaching peak carbon and carbon neutrality.

The starting point for accelerating the development of new quality productive forces     

The world's most developed nations are improving the strategic layout of their computing power to seize the advantage in cutting-edge technologies and future industries, such as new materials, biopharmaceuticals, genetic technology, fintech, and deep-sea and aerospace development, all of which are placing unprecedented demands on computing power infrastructure. An integrated national computing network will integrate and optimize computing resources across China, enabling us to meet the computing demands of various fields, reduce the cost and usage threshold of computing power, and enable us to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies such as quantum information. It will also empower emerging and future industries and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces.

The pressing need to boost the strength, quality and size of the digital economy

As a result of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, computing power has come to constitute a core productive force of each country. In addition to its fundamental importance to the digital economy, computing power greatly boosts integration between the digital and real economies. The focus of demand for computing power is shifting from the internet and other information and communication technology (ICT) industries to the transportation, finance, education, medical care, technology, and energy industries, and it is increasingly related to economic growth, social development, and scientific and technological progress. The construction of an integrated national computing network will facilitate the digital transformation and upgrading of all industries and boost new industrialization and the digital economy.

The key measures for coordinated regional development

Eastern China has considerable capacity for innovation, a rapidly developing digital economy, and sound industrial development. It has a high demand for computing power and is engaging in intensive infrastructure construction. Western China, on the other hand, has an underdeveloped digital sector, with shortages of talent and capital investment. The construction of an integrated national computing network will promote flows of data, computing power, and algorithm-related industries from east to west China. This will enhance the western region's ability to attract and retain talent and investment, leading to flows of materials, capital, talent, and technology from east to west. It would also encourage internet and big data enterprises in eastern regions to expand their industrial chains to the western region, thereby stimulating the digital economy and promoting rapid economic development in the western region.

Supporting data flows

Given the current general unwillingness or disinclination to share certain data on the part of those who hold data, we need to accelerate the development of systems for data governance and trustworthy data flows to strengthen data security management. An integrated national computing network will lead to more efficiently scheduled, green, and secure computing resource services to ensure trustworthy data flows and the implementation of data security and governance systems. It will enable us to achieve the interconnected and efficient allocation of data resources between industries, regions, and systems, thereby improving data resource development and utilization as well as realizing the value of data.

A key link in China's strategy to reach peak carbon and carbon neutrality

A systematically arranged integrated national computing network will enable us to fully leverage the climate, energy, and environment of the western region by encouraging the clustering of data centers in areas with abundant resources. We can expand the supply and promote local consumption of renewable energy and strengthen connections between data, computing power, and energy sources to help China's data centers produce less carbon and be greener and more sustainable. Furthermore, with the rapid development of China's digital economy, computing and electrical power are mutually supportive and their development has become interlinked, making a smooth and efficient power system and computing power inextricable. By coordinating the layout of computing and electrical power, our integrated national computing network can promote the use of green energy sources such as wind and solar power, strengthen resource conservation and encourage resource recycling, and proactively yet prudently promote the goal of reaching peak carbon and carbon neutrality.

Editor: Jiang Wenyan