Beijing's digital economy experienced significant growth in 2024, with added value expanding to 2 trillion yuan ($278 billion), a 7.5% increase from the previous year, according to Liu Weiliang, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.

He shared this information at the annual session of the municipal people's congress on Jan. 15.

The information software industry has become a major contributor, surpassing 3 trillion yuan in revenue and establishing itself as Beijing's leading industrial sector.

Liu noted that Beijing is focusing on artificial intelligence as a key driver of its digital economy and is working to create a competitive digital industrial cluster.

Beijing boasts a thriving AI ecosystem, with over 2,400 AI companies and a core AI industry worth more than 300 billion yuan. The city is leading the nation in large language model development, with 105 models approved by the Cyberspace Administration of China, representing nearly 40% of China's total.

Additionally, Beijing has made significant improvements to its digital infrastructure. The city now has the highest number of 5G base stations per capita in China and is actively deploying 5G-Advanced and fixed 5G Advanced networks.

Beijing is integrating digital technologies across various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, trade and agriculture. A total of 581 large manufacturing enterprises have successfully completed their digital transformations, and GE Healthcare's Beijing site has been recognized as a "Lighthouse Factory" by the World Economic Forum – the first in China's medical equipment industry.

The city is concentrating on key areas such as basic software, brain science, and AI, aiming to accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies. Uniontech Software has launched a domestic operating system with advanced capabilities for large models. A joint innovation center for intelligent robots has also been established, featuring the latest generation of the "Tiangong" humanoid robot platform, which offers all-terrain mobility.

Beijing has set ambitious goals for its digital economy by 2025. Liu stated that the city aims to increase the added value of its digital economy by 8% and raise its contribution to GDP to over 45%. To achieve these goals, Beijing will focus on five key areas: AI-driven development, demonstration projects, infrastructure upgrades, realizing data value, and promoting the digital economy internationally.

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