China Sets 2030 Tech Vision: $530B for Infrastructure, 9800 EFLOPS Computing Power

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released its "15th Five-Year Plan" for the information and communications technology sector, outlining an ambitious roadmap through 2030. The blueprint focuses on substantial infrastructure upgrades and computing power expansion to fuel the nation's digital economy.

Key Targets: Massive Investment and Computing Scale

The plan defines 13 major development indicators, with infrastructure investment and computing capacity taking center stage. By 2030, cumulative investment in information infrastructure is projected to reach 3.8 trillion yuan (approximately $530 billion). In parallel, smart computing power is targeted to hit 9800 EFLOPS, reflecting a strategic push into high-performance AI-driven computation.

Network Coverage and User Adoption Goals

The blueprint also sets clear benchmarks for network deployment and service penetration:

  • Dense 5G Deployment: 50 5G and 5G-Advanced base stations per 10,000 people, ensuring extensive and deep network coverage.
  • Near-Universal Adoption: 5G (including 5G-A) user penetration rate is aimed at 95%, bringing ultra-fast connectivity to the vast majority of the population.
  • Sector Growth: The ICT industry's revenue is expected to grow to 4.1 trillion yuan, with telecom business volume maintaining an average annual growth rate of about 7%.

Together, these targets form a comprehensive framework linking infrastructure investment, network quality, user experience, and economic output.

Strategic Implications of the Plan

The release of this plan signals more than just numerical ambitions. It underscores a commitment to building future-ready digital foundations that will power economic innovation, industrial transformation, and smart governance. Smart computing power, treated as a new form of productive force, is positioned as a core engine for scientific breakthroughs and sustainable growth. The massive investment is also poised to stimulate upstream and downstream industries, fostering new technologies and business models.

In essence, the "15th Five-Year Plan" sets a high bar for China's ICT development in the coming half-decade. From computing infrastructure to ubiquitous connectivity, the concrete targets chart a course for a comprehensive upgrade of China's digital backbone, laying a critical foundation for a fully realized Digital China by 2030.