Accelerating Digital China construction is an inevitable choice to advance Chinese Style Modernization and seize the commanding heights of future development. It is an inevitable requirement for advancing the modernization of the National Governance System and governance capabilities. It is also an inevitable choice to advance the building of a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind.

“Digital China Construction Series (Lesson 1 of 13): Why Should We Accelerate Digital China Construction?,” Beijing Party Member Education Network, April 11, 2025

On April 11, 2025, the Beijing Party Member Education Network released a remarkable 13-lesson educational series on China’s national digital strategy, Digital China. Designed as a foundational introduction, the course targets Party cadre and members and is intended to raise awareness, elevate political understanding, and standardize implementation.

Lesson One defines the strategy’s domestic and international missions. The lesson also makes its central point unmistakably clear: Digital China is not a standalone initiative. It is the enabling platform through which the Party intends to modernize governance at home and reshape the international environment abroad.

Domestic Mission

Domestically, Digital China is presented as the technological and institutional engine behind the National Governance System1: the Party’s overarching framework for organizing China’s economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological governance. Without Digital China, the Party argues, this system cannot be modernized, coordinated, or made “intelligent.”

Digital China provides the digital infrastructure, data systems, and intelligent applications needed to increase governance responsiveness, expand visibility into social and economic activity, and enable what the Party calls “scientific and precise governance.”

International Mission

Internationally, Digital China is framed as essential for advancing the Community of Common Destiny for Mankind2, the Party’s preferred global governance concept. Digital China supports this goal by expanding China’s influence in global digital rulemaking, exporting Chinese digital standards and governance models, and positioning China to lead in a new era of digitalized globalization.

In other words, Digital China links domestic capacity-building with global ambition: a unified digital platform for national revitalization at home and institutional influence abroad.

A Series Roadmap

If you are new to Digital China, you may want to begin with my overview of the strategy and a shortlist of key concepts that cadre are expected to master. Both will help you navigate the lessons.

Let’s begin the series with Lesson One:

Each lesson’s web address is linked to its original Chinese-language title. Note: Some of these links may have security certificate issues. For your safety, I’ve also embedded a clean, archived copy of each video in the corresponding post. You can choose which version to view, but I recommend using the archived copy for a safer experience.

“Digital China Construction Series 1: Why Should We Accelerate Digital China Construction?” (数字中国建设系列之一：为什么要加快数字中国建设), Beijing Party Member Education Network (北京党员教育网）, April 11, 2025

Archived Video

Source: Beijing Party Member Education Network

Speaker: Beijing Guoheng Zhilin Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (北京国恒智林文化传播有限公司)

Length: 9:01 Minutes

Synopsis: Digital China construction covers multiple fields such as science and technology, economy, politics, culture, society, ecology, and security, involving big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, e-government, Smart Cities, Digital Villages, as well as numerous other content. It is a large-scale social system project. Accelerating Digital China construction is an inevitable choice to advance Chinese Style Modernization and seize the commanding heights of future development. It is an inevitable requirement for advancing the modernization of the National Governance System and governance capabilities. It is also an inevitable choice to advance the building of a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind.

简介：数字中国建设涵盖科技、经济、政治、文化、社会、生态、安全等多个领域，涉及大数据、云计算、人工智能、电子政务、智慧城市、数字乡村等诸多内容，是一项大规模的社会系统工程。加快数字中国建设是推进中国式现代化、抢占未来发展制高点的必然选择，是推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的必然要求，也是推动构建人类命运共同体的必然选择。

Terminology shortlist with footnoted definitions: large-scale social system project3 (大规模的社会系统工程), Chinese Style Modernization4 (中国式现代化), National Governance System5 (国家治理体系), Community of Common Destiny for Mankind6 (人类命运共同体).

Video Transcript and Translation:

Terminology shortlist and other key terms are highlighted in blue.

00:26

On March 10, 2023, the First Session of the 14th National People’s Congress voted to pass a decision on the State Council Institutional Reform Plan. According to the plan, a new agency, the National Data Administration, was approved to be established. This move shows the important position of Digital China construction and the Data Resource System in the National Development Strategy. Digital China construction has ushered in a major development opportunity.

2023年3月10日，十四届全国人大一次会议表决通过了关于国务院机构改革方案的决定。根据方案，一个全新机构国家数据局获准组建。这一举措显示出数字中国建设和数据资源体系在国家发展战略中的重要地位，数字中国建设迎来重大发展机遇。

00:54

Digital China construction covers multiple fields such as science and technology, economy, politics, culture, society, and ecological security, involving big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, e-government, Smart Cities, Digital Villages, and many other contents. It is a large-scale social system project. In December 2015, President Xi Jinping first proposed the Digital China Construction Initiative at the Second World Internet Conference.

数字中国建设涵盖科技、经济、政治、文化、社会、生态安全等多个领域，涉及大数据、云计算、人工智能、电子政务、智慧城市、数字乡村等诸多内容，是一项大规模的社会系统工程。2015年12月，国家主席习近平在第二届世界互联网大会首次提出数字中国建设倡议。

1:23

The Political Report of the 19th National Party Congress in 2017 clarified the Strategic Concept of Building Digital China. The 2020 14th Five-Year Plan and Outline of Long-Term Goals for 2035 proposed to “Accelerate Digitalized Development and Build Digital China,” and made Strategic Plans for the Digital Economy, Digital Society, Digital Government, and Digital Ecology (aka Digital Eco-Environment). In 2022, the Political Report of the 20th National Party Congress emphasized the need to Accelerate the Construction of Cyber Great Power and Digital China.

2017年党的十九大报告明确了建设数字中国的战略构想。2020年”十四五”规划和2035年远景目标纲要提出，”加快数字化发展，建设数字中国,” 并对数字经济、数字社会、数字政府、数字生态做出战略部署。2022年，党的二十大报告强调，要加快建设网络强国、数字中国。

1:57

In February 2023, the Central Committee and the State Council issued the Plan for the Global Layout of Digital China Construction, which comprehensively discussed the development goals, future plans, and specific strategies for Digital China construction in the future. The pace of Digital China construction is becoming more standardized, orderly, and accelerated. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that accelerating Digital China construction is to adapt to the New Historical Position of our country’s development and fully implement the New Development Concept. Cultivate New Momentum with Informatization, Promote New Development with New Momentum, and Create New Glory with New Development.

2023年2月，中共中央、国务院印发”数字中国建设整体布局规划,” 全面论述未来数字中国建设的发展目标、前景规划和具体方略。数字中国建设步伐越来越规范、有序、加速。习近平总书记指出，加快数字中国建设，就是要适应我国发展新的历史方位，全面贯彻新发展理念。以信息化培育新动能，用新动能推动新发展，以新发展创造新辉煌。

2:37

First, accelerating Digital China construction is an inevitable choice to advance Chinese Style Modernization and seize the Commanding Heights of Future Development. The 20th National Party Congress has drawn up a Grand Blueprint for Comprehensively Building a Modernized Socialist Country and Comprehensively Promoting the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation with Chinese Style Modernization.

一、加快数字中国建设，是推进中国式现代化、抢占未来发展制高点的必然选择。党的二十大擘画了全面建设社会主义现代化国家、以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟蓝图。

3:00

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that Informatization has brought a golden opportunity to the Chinese nation. Without Informatization, there is no Modernization. He stressed that for Modernized construction, Informatization must come first. At present, digital technology is being fully integrated into all fields and the entire process of human economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization construction with new concepts, new forms and new models.

习近平总书记指出，信息化为中华民族带来了千载难逢的机遇，没有信息化就没有现代化。强调现代化建设，信息化先行。当下，数字技术正以新理念、新业态、新模式全面融入人类经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明建设各领域和全过程。

3:28

This is constantly triggering new changes and creating new opportunities around the world. At the same time, the international balance of power is also undergoing profound adjustments. More and more countries are aware that accelerating Digitalized Transformation is a New Strategic Opportunity facing all countries. Under such circumstances, following the wave of the Information Revolution Era and continuously accelerating Digital China construction will become a way for our country to seize the Commanding Heights of Development and Win the Strategic Initiative.

在世界范围内不断引发新变革，创造新机遇。与此同时，国际力量对比也在发生深刻调整。越来越多的国家意识到，加速推动数字化转型，正是各国所面临的新的战略机遇。在这样的情况下，顺应信息革命时代浪潮，持续加快推进数字中国建设，成为我们国家抢占发展制高点，赢得战略主动权。

4:00

Building New National Competitive Advantage is an inevitable choice for advancing Chinese Style Modernization. Only by seizing the Historical Opportunity of Digitalized Development and giving full play to the driving and leading role of Digital China construction can we ensure the High Quality Development of the economy and society and provide inexhaustible power for Chinese Style Modernization.

构筑国家竞争新优势，推进中国式现代化的必然选择。只有抢抓数字化发展历史机遇，充分发挥数字中国建设的驱动引领作用。才能保证经济社会的高质量发展，为中国式现代化提供不竭的动力。

4:22

Second, accelerating Digital China construction is an inevitable requirement for advancing the modernization of the National Governance System and governance capabilities. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must use Informatization to promote the Modernization of the National Governance System and governance capabilities, and be good at using Internet technology and informatized methods to carry out work. With the sustained and rapid development of the economy and society, especially the widespread application of digital technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, it has become increasingly difficult for the traditional national governance model to adapt to the needs of modern society.

二，加快数字中国建设，是推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的必然要求。习近平总书记强调，要以信息化推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，要善于运用互联网技术和信息化手段开展工作。随着经济社会持续快速发展，特别是大数据、云计算、人工智能、区块链等数字技术的广泛应用，传统的国家治理模式越来越难以适应现代社会的需求.

5:01

The Internet has become an important condition for governing. Governance ability is often reflected in the ability of the ruler to Use the Internet to Govern the Internet. This requires the government to rely on digital information technology to transform governance concepts, enrich governance methods, and improve governance efficiency. Accelerating Digital China construction can not only set off an efficiency revolution in government departments driven by science and precision, but also help deepen the streamlining of administration to improve services, and optimize the business environment.

互联网成为重要执政条件，执政能力很多时候体现为执政者用网治网的能力。这就要求政府依托数字信息技术变革治理理念，丰富治理手段，提升治理效能。加快数字中国建设，不仅可以掀起政府部门科学化、精准化的效能革命，还有助于深化”放管服”改革，优化营商环境。

5:31

This will stimulate market vitality and social creativity to a greater extent, and bring about deep structural changes in government governance concepts, governance structures, operating mechanisms, behavior patterns, and resource allocation. Accelerating Digital China construction has become an inevitable requirement for accelerating the transformation of government functions and advancing the Modernization of the National Governance System and governance capabilities.

更大程度激发市场活力和社会创造力，对政府治理理念、治理结构、运行机制、行为模式及资源配置等带来深层次结构性的变化。加快数字中国建设，也就成为加快转变政府职能，促进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的必然要求。

5:57

Third, accelerating Digital China construction is an inevitable choice to advance the building of a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind. With the in-depth development of a new round of Scientific and Technological Revolution and Industrial Transformation, a New Type of Globalization driven by Digitalization is accelerating. How to deepen international exchanges and cooperation and build a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind? General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that all countries should jointly build a Community of Common Destiny in Cyberspace and promote the interconnection and shared governance of cyberspace to help create a better future for human development.

三、加快数字中国建设，是推动构建人类命运共同体的必然选择。随着新一轮科技革命和产业变革的深入发展，数字化驱动的新型全球化加速到来。如何深化国际交流合作，构建人类命运共同体? 习近平总书记指出，各国应该共同构建网络空间命运共同体，推动网络空间互联互通、共享共治 ，为开创人类发展更加美好的未来助力。

6:33

The digital ecosystem is highly globalized. Opening win-win cooperation and mutual benefit are important connotations of creating a good digital ecosystem. At present, unilateralism and protectionism are prevalent in the world, and local conflicts and turmoil are frequent. The economy is facing a post-epidemic recovery, but the growth momentum is insufficient. Only by strengthening international cooperation in the digital field can we effectively enhance the ability of countries to seize new opportunities for the development of the digital economy and achieve common development.

数字生态具有高度全球化的特征，开放合作、互利共赢是营造良好数字生态的重要内涵。当下全球单边主义、保护主义盛行，局部冲突和动荡频发，经济面临疫后复苏，但增长动能不足。只有加强数字领域国际合作，才能切实增强各国把握数字经济发展新机遇的能力，实现共同发展。

7:06

Accelerating Digital China construction and exploring a Digitalized Development Path with Chinese Characteristics allows us to share the results of Digitalized Development with countries around the world and contribute a China Solution to Global Internet Development and Governance. We should work together to build a Community of Common Destiny in Cyberspace, create an Open and Win-Win Pattern of International Cooperation in the Digital Domain, and jointly cultivate New Digital Momentum for Global Development.

加快建设数字中国，探索出一条中国特色数字化发展道路，可以与世界各国共享数字化发展成果，为全球互联网发展治理贡献中国方案。合力构建网络空间命运共同体，打造开放共赢的数字领域国际合作格局，共同培育全球发展的数字新动能。

7:32

At present, our country has built the world’s largest and most technologically advanced network infrastructure, and cloud computing, blockchain, quantum information and other technical applications have ranked among the world’s top echelons. The digital economy has grown by more than 10% for many consecutive years, and its total volume has remained the second largest in the world, accounting for about 40% of GDP. The governance pattern of digital government is becoming increasingly perfect, and service efficiency has been significantly improved.

目前我国已建成全球规模最大、技术领先的网络基础设施，云计算、区块链、量子信息等多种技术应用跻身世界第一梯队。数字经济连续多年增速超过10%，总量稳居世界第二，占国内生产总值比重提升至40%左右。数字政府治理格局日益完善，服务效能明显提升。

7:59

“Cloud processing” and “one-stop network” service have gained popularity, and digital social services have become more inclusive and convenient. The Internet access rate of primary and secondary schools has reached 100%, and direct provision of cross-provincial medical treatment across the country reached 38.1235 million online visits in 2022 alone. The digital ecosystem environment continues to optimize, the relevant security and legal systems increasingly improve, and the protection capabilities for network security continuously rise.

“云办理”、”一网通”深入人心，数字社会服务更加普惠便捷。中小学互联网接入率达到100%，全国跨省异地就医直接结算，仅2022年就汇集3,812.35万人次。数字生态环境持续优化，相关安全法律体系日益完善，网络安全保障能力不断提升。

8:27

“The Plan for the Global Layout of Digital China Construction” sets the development goals of Digital China as follows: by 2025, a unified pattern for advancement, characterized by horizontal integration, vertical linkage, and effective coordination, will be largely in place. The construction of Digital China will make important progress. By 2035, the level of Digitalized Development will be among the best in the world, and Digital China construction will have achieved significant results.

“数字中国建设整体布局规划”给出的数字中国的发展目标是，到2025年，基本形成横向打通、纵向贯通、协调有力的一体化推进格局。数字中国建设取得重要进展，到2035年，数字化发展水平进入世界前列，数字中国建设取得重大成就。

Footnotes

  1. National Governance System (国家治理体系). “The National Governance System is a system of institutions for managing the country under CCP leadership. These include economic, political, cultural, social, ecological, and Party development mechanisms and institutions, as well as laws, regulations and plans. These are a complete set of tightly linked and coordinated national institutions,” see “Modernizing the National Governance System and Capacity,” China.org.cn, November 11, 2022. ↩︎
  2. Community of Common Destiny for Mankind (人类命运共同体). The Community of Common Destiny for Mankind expresses “Beijing’s long-term vision for transforming the international environment to make it compatible with China’s governance model and emergence as a global leader,” see Liza Tobin, “Xi’s Vision for Transforming Global Governance: A Strategic Challenge for Washington and Its Allies,” Texas National Security Review, November 2018. ↩︎
  3. large-scale social system project (大规模的社会系统工程). Large-scale social system projects are complex, top-level, coordinated efforts to reshape or construct major components of society, see Wang Shoulin (王寿林), “Adhere to a Systems Thinking Approach to Advance Comprehensive and Coordinated Work Across All Spheres” (坚持以系统观念全面协调推动各领域工作), Guangming Daily, February 10, 2023. ↩︎
  4. Chinese Style Modernization (中国式现代化). Party commentary describes the driving and leading role of Digital China (thru informatization and digitalization) in Chinese Style (socialist) Modernization. The digital transformation of socialist modernization will give China an edge both domestically (by improving societal efficiency and social equity) and globally (by offering a superior alternative to emerging Western developmental models tied to digital capitalism). ↩︎
  5. Ibid 1 ↩︎
  6. Ibid 2 ↩︎