Shandong boosts digital economy development

Shandong accelerates the promotion of digital industrialization and industrial digitization. [Photo/Dazhong Daily]

These days the digital economy is widely said to be a new form of economy that leverages the integration and application of information and communications technology, as well as drives comprehensive digital transformation.

Official data shows that China's digital economy has experienced rapid development in recent years, with its growth rate higher than GDP growth for 11 consecutive years. As such, the digital economy has become a significant driver of overall economic growth.

According to Zhang Haibo, head of the Shandong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the digital economy in the province in East China accounts for more than 45 percent of its GDP, 3.5 percentage points higher than the national level.

"The number of national industrial internet platforms, the level of industrial digitalization and the digital transformation index of the manufacturing industry in Shandong all rank first in the country, so that Shandong has a solid foundation to develop its digital economy," Zhang said.

To boost the digital economy, Shandong will accelerate the promotion of digital industrialization and industrial digitization and implement a number of key digital industry projects, industrial clusters and industrial parks.

Plans are for Jinan, capital of Shandong, to focus on developing the new generation of information technology industry, accelerate the construction of a leading software city and strengthen the integrated circuits industry supply chain.

Further, it will promote the expansion and quality of emerging industries, such as the new generation of information technology equipment and artificial intelligence - and create new industrial growth points.