China Social Sciences Today, a major national academic and theoretical newspaper supervised and sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, just published an article titled “The Construction of Digital China Enters a New Stage of Comprehensive Deepening.”1 Written by journalist Zhang Yixin, the piece serves as a useful marker of how China’s think-tank and academic communities now understand the state of Digital China as the 15th Five-Year Plan begins to take shape. In short, they see not merely acceleration, but consolidation, integration, and elevation in strategic intent.

A lightly edited Google Translate machine translation of the “Construction of Digital China Enters a New Stage of Comprehensive Deepening” follows below. My summary and analysis of Zhang’s essay can be found here.

Construction of Digital China Enters a New Stage of Comprehensive Deepening

数字中国建设步入全面深化新阶段

Author: Zhang Yixin | 张译心 (Chinese Social Sciences Today journalist | 本报记者 )

Source: Chinese Social Sciences Today | 中国社会科学报, Page A01

Publication date: December 09, 2025

In intelligent manufacturing workshops, robotic arms operate in coordinated, millimeter-level precision, showcasing the latest achievements in industrial intelligence; on the National Unified Government Services Platform, hundreds of millions of data points flow seamlessly across provincial boundaries, demonstrating the efficiency and coordination of digital governance; within the hubs of the “Eastern Data, Western Computing” project, massive computing power drives the rapid iteration of artificial intelligence models, nurturing boundless possibilities for scientific and technological innovation… Today’s China is riding a surging digital tide that is profoundly reshaping production and daily life, propelling the construction of Digital China into a new stage of systemic integration and comprehensive deepening.

智能制造车间里，机械臂以毫米级的精度协同作业，展现着工业智能化的最新成果；全国一体化政务服务平台上，数以亿计的数据实现跨省无缝流转，彰显了数字治理的高效协同；“东数西算”工程枢纽内，海量算力驱动人工智能模型快速迭代，孕育着科技创新的无限可能……今日之中国，数字浪潮奔涌不息，正深刻改变着生产生活方式，助推数字中国建设迈入系统整合、全面深化的新阶段。

The Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (hereinafter, the Recommendations) list “Deeply Advancing the Construction of Digital China” as a strategic priority, marking a shift from localized experimentation to global planning,2 and from technology-driven development to value-driven leadership.3 Scholars broadly agree that, by focusing on key issues such as the market-oriented allocation of data factors,4 the “AI Plus” (AI+) Action Plan, and the improvement of digital governance systems, China is reconstructing new sources of national competitive advantage through systemic strategic thinking while cultivating new drivers of economic growth.

《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划的建议》（以下简称《建议》）将“深入推进数字中国建设”列为战略重点，标志着这场变革从局部探索走向全局统筹，从技术驱动转向价值引领。学术界普遍认为，围绕数据要素市场化配置、“人工智能+”行动、数字治理体系完善等关键议题，中国正以系统性战略思维重构国家竞争新优势，培育经济增长新动能。

From Exploration to Deepening Implementation

从探索到深耕的转变

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, our country’s digital industries achieved leapfrog growth. According to statistics, the number of data enterprises nationwide has surpassed 400,000; the digital transformation of all 5A-rated tourist attractions has been fully completed; and average daily consumption of artificial intelligence computing power has reached the trillion-token level, laying a solid foundation for Deeply Advancing the Construction of Digital China during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

“十四五”时期，我国数字产业实现跨越式增长。据统计，全国数据企业数量已突破40万家，5A级景区数字化改造全面完成，日均人工智能算力消耗量达万亿Token级规模，为“十五五”时期深入推进数字中国建设奠定了坚实基础。

Compared with the 14th Five-Year Plan’s formulation of “Accelerating Digitalized Development, Building Digital China,” the Recommendations now call for “Deeply Advancing the Construction of Digital China,” a shift with profound implications. Wang Xiangnan, a researcher at the Institute of Finance of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that as a crucial engine for cultivating and developing New Quality Productive Forces, digital technology, through Deep Fusion with the real economy, can break through traditional growth bottlenecks and stimulate new momentum for economic advancement. Sun Xiaohua, a professor at the School of Economics and Management of Dalian University of Technology, analyzes that the current development paradigm for the digital economy is undergoing three profound transformations: from technology-oriented to value-oriented, focusing more on addressing pain points in the real economy; from single-point attempts to ecosystem-level collaboration, strengthening collaborative innovation across the entire industrial chain; and from extensive regulation to comprehensive governance, building an institutional system that balances development and security.

与“十四五”规划中“加快数字化发展，建设数字中国”的表述相比，《建议》提出“深入推进数字中国建设”，这一转变具有深刻内涵。中国社会科学院金融研究所研究员王向楠认为，作为培育发展新质生产力的重要引擎，数字技术通过与实体经济深度融合，能够突破传统增长瓶颈，激发经济跃升新动能。大连理工大学经济管理学院教授孙晓华分析，当前数字经济发展范式正经历三重深刻转变：从技术导向转向价值导向，更加注重解决实体经济痛点；从单点尝试转向生态协同，强化产业链上下游的协同创新；从粗放监管转向全面治理，构建发展与安全并重的制度体系。

Innovation has been elevated to an unprecedented level. The explicit call to “use artificial intelligence to lead a transformation in scientific research paradigms” underscores AI’s role as the fundamental driver of revolutionary change in the industrial system. Zhang Guosheng, a professor at the School of Economics of Yunnan University, notes that artificial intelligence will not only rapidly give rise to new industries, new business forms, and new models that gradually replace traditional industries as the new dominant industries, but will also promote a transformation of techno-economic paradigms at the institutional level, shaping a new system of rules adapted to the era of digital civilization.

创新引领被提到前所未有的高度。“以人工智能引领科研范式变革”的明确表述，凸显其作为产业体系革命性变革的根本动因。云南大学经济学院教授张国胜表示，人工智能不仅将快速催生新产业、新业态与新模式，逐步取代传统产业成为新的主导产业，还将在制度层面推动技术经济范式转化，塑造出适应数字文明时代的新规则体系。

Notably, the Recommendations place key elements such as “Data Factors,” “AI Plus,” “Deep Fusion,” and “Governance and Supervision” side by side, forming an organic whole that is mutually reinforcing, mutually enabling, and dynamically balanced. Li Ping, a level-two professor at the Beijing Institute of Digital Economy Development at Capital University of Economics and Business, explains that these four elements constitute the systemic framework for Digital China construction. Data factors are the foundation, providing high-quality “fuel” for artificial intelligence; “AI Plus” is the core engine, and the new forms it generates can feed back into data resource development; Deep Fusion closes the value loop; and governance and supervision construct a security barrier.

值得关注的是，《建议》将“数据要素”“人工智能+”“深度融合”和“治理监管”等关键点并置，形成相互支撑、彼此赋能且动态平衡的有机整体。首都经济贸易大学北京数字经济发展研究院二级教授李平阐释道，这四者构成了数字中国建设的系统框架。数据要素是基础，为人工智能提供高质量“燃料”；“人工智能+”是核心引擎，其催生的新形态能反哺数据资源开发；深度融合实现价值闭环；治理监管构筑安全屏障。

Building a Modernized Governance System

构建现代化治理体系

At this critical transitional stage in which the digital economy is moving from strategic planning to large-scale implementation, how to build a governance system that can effectively prevent risks while fully stimulating innovation has become a focus of academic attention. The Recommendations propose “improving the Basic System for Data Factors” and “building a National Unified Data Market” in parallel, aiming to “unlock the full potential”5 of market-oriented reforms for data factors. Chen Haiqiang, deputy dean of the Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics at Xiamen University, believes that there is an urgent need to establish clearer regulatory frameworks and incentive mechanisms. He recommends implementing a “negative list” management system to encourage innovation by entities outside the list and unleash the vitality of the data factor market.

在数字经济从战略规划向规模化实施的关键转型阶段，如何构建既能有效防范风险又能充分激发创新活力的治理体系，已成为学术界关注的焦点。《建议》将“健全数据要素基础制度”与“建设全国一体化数据市场”并列提出，旨在打通数据要素市场化改革的“任督二脉”。厦门大学王亚南经济研究院副院长陈海强认为，当前亟须建立更清晰的监管框架与激励机制。他建议推行“负面清单”管理制度，鼓励清单外主体创新，释放数据要素市场活力。

As a long-term objective of Digital China construction, “Deep Fusion” requires a systematic implementation pathway. Zhang Guosheng proposes a coordinated “point-line-plane” approach: at the “point” level, accelerate the cultivation of innovative leading enterprises, specialized “gazelle” companies in niche sectors, and specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “Little Giants” and single-champion enterprises, in order to promote the deep alignment between digital technology and manufacturing scenarios; at the “line” level, build the Industrial Internet, fully leveraging the finely segmented division of labor in manufacturing to integrate data resources and promote collaborative innovation across industrial chains; and at the “plane” level, build “industrial brains,” using generative artificial intelligence technology to achieve precise matching of market demand and empower coordinated development among upstream and downstream enterprises.

“深度融合”作为数字中国建设的长期目标，需要系统化的实施路径。张国胜提出了“点、线、面”协同推进的方案：在“点”上加快培育创新型领军企业、细分领域瞪羚企业、专精特新“小巨人”和单项冠军企业，推动数字技术与制造业场景的深度对接；在“线”上构建产业互联网，充分利用制造业分工细化的特征整合数据资源，促进产业链协同创新；在“面”上建设“产业大脑”，运用生成式人工智能技术实现市场需求的精准匹配，赋能上下游企业协同发展。

The standardized development of platform enterprises is crucial for building a healthy and orderly digital economy ecosystem. Yang Dong, dean of the Law School at Renmin University of China, recommends strengthening antitrust and anti-unfair competition enforcement and adjudication, and leveraging the procuratorial public-interest litigation system, to establish diversified judicial remedies that create effective legal deterrence. Liu Jianli, a researcher at the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, outlines the direction for transforming platform enterprise development models. She believes that platform enterprises must shift away from past models characterized by traffic competition, data exclusivity, and closed ecosystems, and instead become a new type of innovative entity centered on the co-creation and sharing of data factors and Deep Fusion with the real economy. This involves shifting from data exclusivity to value co-creation and sharing, promoting the socialized circulation of data factors; extending and deepening their reach from the Consumer Internet to AI Plus industries, providing lightweight digitalized transformation tools for small and medium-sized enterprises; and shifting from closed development to collaborative innovation, actively participating in the construction of infrastructure such as the National [Unified] Computing Power Network and industry-specific large models.

平台企业的规范发展对于构建健康有序的数字经济生态至关重要。中国人民大学法学院院长杨东建议，通过强化反垄断和反不正当竞争执法司法，依托检察公益诉讼制度，构建多元化的司法救济路径，形成有效的法律威慑。中国社会科学院工业经济研究所研究员刘建丽提出了平台企业发展模式的转型方向。她认为，平台企业需要从过去以流量竞争、数据独占和生态封闭为标志的发展模式，转变为数据要素共创共享、与实体经济深度融合的新型创新主体。从数据独占转向价值共创共享，促进数据要素的社会化流通；从消费互联网向AI+产业延伸深耕，为中小企业提供轻量化的数字化转型工具；从封闭发展转向协同创新，积极参与国家算力网络、行业大模型等基础设施建设。

Achieving a dynamic balance between development and governance is the foundation for healthy operation of the digital economy. Chen Haiqiang believes that the key lies in strengthening the identification and assessment of the negative effects of data circulation and AI applications, and in establishing a scientific impact assessment mechanism. At the same time, a multi-stakeholder, forward-looking, and inclusive governance mechanism should be built to fully unleash the energy of innovation while maintaining safe limits on risk.

实现发展与治理的动态平衡是数字经济健康运行的基础。陈海强认为，关键在于加强对数据流通与AI应用负面效应的识别与研判，建立科学的影响评估机制。同时，应构建多元共治、前瞻包容的治理机制，在守住风险底线的同时充分释放创新活力。

Solve Difficult Problems to Open New Horizons

在破解难题中开拓新局

We are living in the springtime of digital civilization, with new undertakings emerging rapidly (literally, like bamboo shoots after rain 雨后春笋) and brimming with vitality. Yet development and challenges always go hand in hand, and we must plan ahead (literally, before it rains, bind with silk 未雨绸缪, from the Book of Songs) and remain alert to potential risks arising across different domains. Li Ping noted that we must clearly recognize that there is still room for improvement in our country’s core technologies and governance capabilities; structural imbalances in development remain pronounced, with significant gaps in digital infrastructure between urban and rural areas, while a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises that are transforming face the dual dilemma of high costs and shortages of specialized talent. Furthermore, global data governance rules are inconsistent, also exerting significant external pressure on the development of our country’s digital economy. Chen Haiqiang observes that current applications of data factors are largely concentrated in a limited number of areas such as financial risk control and precision marketing. While this has improved efficiency to some extent, it may intensify competitive pressure on small and medium-sized financial institutions and trigger new social risks. He recommended that the next step should be to expand data applications into high-growth potential sectors including healthcare, transportation, elderly care services, and the low-altitude economy, so as to enable data factors to more broadly empower the real economy.

我们正身处数字文明的春天，各项新事业如雨后春笋，生机无限。然而，发展与挑战始终相伴相生，必须未雨绸缪，警惕来自不同领域的潜在风险。李平提出，必须清醒认识到，我国核心技术与治理能力仍有提升空间；发展不均衡矛盾依然突出，城乡间数字基础设施差距显著，广大中小企业在转型中普遍面临成本高昂与专业人才短缺的双重困境。此外，全球数据治理规则不一，也给我国数字经济发展带来显著外部压力。陈海强提出，当前数据要素应用多集中于金融风控、精准营销等少数领域，虽在一定程度上提升了效率，但可能加剧中小金融机构竞争压力，引发新的社会风险。他建议，下一步应拓展数据在医疗健康、交通运输、养老服务、低空经济等高成长潜力领域的应用，推动数据要素更广泛地赋能实体经济。

Based on the opportunities and challenges mentioned above, the academic community should focus on the future, conduct forward-looking research, and focus on key areas across multiple frontier domains. Wang Xiangnan notes that sustained research is needed on the mechanisms for data property rights, circulation, pricing, and trading; on clarifying the boundaries between public and private data and the rules for their sharing, in order to unlock the potential of data factors; on in-depth research of the impact of new business forms such as the platform economy on labor relations, industrial structure, and wealth distribution; on focused research related to governance systems for artificial intelligence; on strengthening the construction of digital society and digital culture; and on strengthening comparative studies of different countries’ digital development pathways, with the aim of constructing a theoretical system on digital development with Chinese characteristics.

基于上述机遇与挑战，学术界更应着眼未来，开展前瞻性研究，在多个前沿领域重点布局。王向楠表示，应持续研究数据产权、流通、定价、交易的机制，明晰公共数据与私有数据的边界及共享规则，推动数据要素释放潜能；深入研究平台经济等新业态对劳动关系、产业结构和财富分配等方面的影响；关注人工智能治理体系等研究；加强数字社会和数字文化建设；加强对不同国家数字发展路径的比较研究，着力构建具有中国特色的数字发展理论体系。

Addressing the question of how China’s academic community can provide original theoretical explanations and build an autonomous knowledge system for the digital economy, Yang Dong argues that, at the methodological level, scholars should establish a research framework grounded in the “fifth scientific paradigm,”6 deeply integrating technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence with institutional innovation. At the level of economic theory, it is necessary to start with the essential characteristics of data factors, such as non-excludability and reusability, in order to break free from the constraints of the traditional industrial economy rights paradigm.

针对中国学术界如何提供原创性的理论解释并构建数字经济自主知识体系的问题，杨东表示，学术界在方法论上，应建立以“第五科学范式”为基础的研究框架，将区块链、人工智能等技术与制度创新深度融合。在经济理论层面，则需以数据要素的非排他性、可重复利用等本质特性为起点，突破传统工业经济的权利范式束缚。

On the new journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Deeply Advancing the Construction of Digital China Construction is not merely a technological revolution, but a systemic transformation bearing on the modernization of the National Governance System, High Quality Economic Development, and the advancement of social civilization. Only by upholding innovation and overcoming development challenges can we write a magnificent chapter of Chinese Style Modernization in the new era of digital civilization.

在“十五五”的新征程上，深入推进数字中国建设不仅是一场技术革命，更是一场关乎国家治理体系现代化、经济高质量发展和社会文明进步的系统性变革。唯有坚持创新，破解发展难题，方能在数字文明的新时代谱写中国式现代化的壮丽篇章。

Footnotes

  1. Update: On December 19, 2025, Chinese Social Sciences Today published a condensed English-language version of Zhang Yixin’s article titled “‘Digital China’ ushers in new stage.” ↩︎
  2. 全局统筹, literally comprehensive planning, but in this context the term points to systemic planning across both the domestic and international environments, a concept best expressed contextually as global planning. ↩︎
  3. In discussing value-driven leadership over digitalized transformation, Chinese experts point to both Socialist Core Values and traditional Chinese culture as the main drivers. ↩︎
  4. Data factors (数据要素), also translated as data elements, are data resources that contribute to production and business activities and help create value. While PRC state-run media prefers “data element,” “data factor” is more accurate. It ties the concept to its historical materialist root as a factor of production, alongside land, labor, capital, and technology. It also avoids a translation collision: both 数据要素 and 数据元件 (data component) are commonly rendered as “data element,” creating unnecessary ambiguity. ↩︎
  5. 任督二脉, literally conception (ren) and governor (du) vessels, a concept from traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the two main channels that regulate the body’s energy flow. When these channels are “unblocked,” the whole system functions smoothly. ↩︎
  6. aka AI for Science. ↩︎