Xishan district announces policies to support digital economy

Xishan district in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, recently announced policies to boost the intelligent and digital transformation of the manufacturing industry.

The core sectors of the district's digital economy generated 44.39 billion yuan ($6.57 billion) in operating revenue last year, up 27.7 percent year-on-year.

"Wuxi Putian Iron Core Co Ltd used to be a small enterprise struggling to survive," said Liang Linqiu, the company's general manager. "The digital transformation has saved our company, as it has increased operating revenue by 30 percent and reduced operating costs and equipment maintenance by 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively."

Liang added that the company's annual per capita output value has reached 8 million yuan.

"The uncertainty brought about by COVID-19 has spurred enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation," noted a spokesman from the Xishan district industry and information technology bureau.

According to the spokesman, by 2024, the number of benchmarking enterprises in intelligent manufacturing in the district is expected to total 800, and all enterprises above a designated size are expected to complete digital transformation.

In addition, digital applications have been available in the daily lives of Xishan residents. Six self-driving minibuses have been operated in Xidong New City to shuttle between the new city and subway line two, and automatic street sweepers are operating in the district.