China is a country that quickly responds to challenges and seeks opportunity through challenges to bolster its economy. For instance, its government aims to invest in infrastructure to strengthen its economy impacted by the coronavirus.
According to a CGTN article, the county will invest in new infrastructure that focuses on innovation and social development.
Investments in these new infrastructures include 5G networks, industrial internet, inter-city transportation, inner-city rail systems, data centres, artificial intelligence, ultra-high voltage, and new energy vehicle charging stations.
According to Gu Feng, co-founder and CEO of AIWAYS Automobile, a Chinese EV producer, “The new infrastructure is different from the old one, more intelligent, smarter and more digital.”
Gu said that his company will install more than 1,000 public charging stations worldwide and calls for more policy upgrades to help him do this.
According to the article, local governments are quick to embrace these projects. Twenty-five regions have already put these new projects in their government work report, and 21 keen to build the 5G network.
Gu said coronavirus caused some delays in the construction of EV charging stations; however, part of the delay is caused by a lack of regional supporting policies that could hasten the implementation of these projects.
Although these “new infrastructure” investments are only a fraction of China’s overall infrastructure investments, these are significant investments for the future where innovation and digitalization are the trends, adds Gu.
In fact, in 2017, China established an innovation hub in Xiongan city, just 100 kilometres from Beijing. The city is an “incubator for advanced technologies”. The city is designed to house developers of new technologies like biometrics, artificial intelligence, 5G, and drones.
The future is certainly going towards increased connectivity and data-sharing with the aid of the high-speed internet and powerful computers to create smart homes, cities, and even governments.
Increased connectivity will fundamentally change all industries from agriculture, transportation to healthcare. Cities will want to connect infrastructure to improve how they manage and monitor infrastructure for their residents.
Developments in cloud technology can process enormous amounts of data that can produce instantaneous analysis and insights.
While these developments can make our lives easier and decision-making and access to information, a breeze, increased connectivity and dependence on the internet can also present risks to our privacy and security.
Core infrastructure management messages of on-going investment and continuous development to meet societies’ needs and challenges are being adopted and deployed in China.
Of note is China’s use of innovation hubs and ‘pilot’ cities like Xiongan City to test new technologies and ways of delivering services.
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