Institute, alliance to ramp up technology development

A digital China research institute and an industrial alliance on digital China's core technology were launched on Tuesday, the latest steps in the nation's effort to achieve core information technology breakthroughs.

The two organizations were established during the closing ceremony of the first Digital China Summit, as the nation strives to master core information technologies and strengthen its technological independence in the digital age.

During a national conference on cybersecurity and informatization work held from Friday to Saturday, President Xi Jinping stressed that the country will endeavor to achieve breakthroughs in core information technologies. Xi said more resources will go into research, industrial development and policymaking.

Xu Guanhua, former minister of science and technology, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "The two organizations are tasked to improve the nation's scattered research on digital-related technologies, combining the research and development capabilities, and cultivating high-end research talent, in order to explore a research path for digital China."

Rui Xiaowu, chairman of China Electronics Corp, the largest State-owned IT company in China, said: "We must master core technologies in the network and information sector, and only by doing this can we take the initiative in competition."

According to Xu, the new digital China research institute will provide professional consultation and support, conduct research in key fields, work independently on core technology breakthroughs and make creative breakthroughs along the industrial chain.

"We must follow the path of independent innovation to propel the construction of digital China," Rui said.

State-owned conglomerate China Electronics Corp has developed an independent and controllable information security protection system, and applied information technology to urban governance, tax and medical care services.