Beijing sets out digital economy evolution

National capital emerges as leader of China's AI industry

As the digital economy continues to evolve as a key force in reshaping global competition, Beijing has emerged as a global benchmark for digital economy development by embracing the latest trends in industrial transformation while focusing on technology, industry, application and open cooperation.

According to Liu Weiliang, deputy director of the Beijing Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, in the first quarter of 2025, Beijing's digital economy achieved an 8.3 percent year-on-year increase in added value, with core industries growing by 9.7 percent.

The national capital is home to 43 percent of China's top artificial intelligence talent and 14 national key AI laboratories. To date, Beijing-based businesses have launched 132 large language models, accounting for 35 percent of the national total, with models like Doubao and Kimi standing at the global forefront in terms of performance.

Liu said Beijing has fully embraced the concept of a "digitally friendly" city, which will be the overarching philosophy guiding its development as a global benchmark for the digital economy. The goal is to foster an open, inclusive and fair environment for the development of the global digital economy.

The inaugural Global Digital Economy Conference, held in 2021, marked a milestone in innovation and cooperation within the global digital economy community. The 2025 edition of the conference, held from July 2-5 in Beijing, centered on the theme "Build a Digitally Friendly City". Attendees explored the impact of digital technology on urban development, focusing on the friendliness of digital technology toward people, the environment, security, culture and other facets.

The conference showcased Beijing's achievements as a digital economy powerhouse and promoted international cooperation in technology, economy, culture and more, cultivating a new paradigm of people-centered, inclusive, secure and sustainable global collaboration. More than 50 countries, along with international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, participated in the event, with over 300 international guests from more than 50 countries and international organizations providing input for global digital economy development.

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Yin Li, Beijing's Party secretary, highlighted the city's large pool of educational and technological talent and the thriving development of its digital industries. He noted that in 2024, the added value of the capital's digital economy surpassed 2.2 trillion yuan ($306.6 billion), accounting for 45 percent of the city's GDP.

Yin emphasized that Beijing will remain people-centered and make technology a force for good. "This involves fostering an innovation-friendly ecosystem for technology and establishing global networks and shared platforms for digital innovation while generating more outcomes in areas like AI, blockchain, quantum information and 6G," he said.

On the final day of the conference, the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences released the Annual Report on Digital Economy of Beijing (2024-25). It shows that the city's index as a global digital economy benchmark has improved compared with the same period last year, ranking second globally. Beijing also excelled in aspects such as data element allocation capabilities, the leadership role of digital industries and the ability to produce original digital innovation.

This year's conference witnessed the start of multiple new platforms for international cooperation, with the United Nations Development Programme as a co-host for the first time. It witnessed the establishment of the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance, registered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Geneva, Singapore and Beijing. The alliance will address important issues such as digital infrastructure development, cross-border data governance, AI ethics and smart city applications.

The conference also saw the inauguration of a lab focused on digital friendliness and sustainable digital economy run by the UNDP and several Chinese institutions. The lab aims to create demonstration zones for international cooperation, gather global resources and accelerate the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Additionally, the conference initiated an international digital talent training program jointly with international organizations. The conference also formed the Global Digital Economy Conference international advisory board, bringing together top experts to contribute insights to the global digital economy.