China and BRI countries bring benefits in digital economy cooperation

Closer cooperation in the digital economy between China and countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative will bring about more benefits to the latter, experts said at a seminar held at the University of International Business and Economics on Thursday.

The seminar focused on promoting high-quality development of the BRI and was expected to provide new ideas for global development.

Lan Qingxin, a researcher at the UIBE's Academy of China Open Economy Studies, said that most economies involved in the BRI still experience a large digital divide between them and the developed countries.

"China now has the world's second-largest digital economy. It has the ability to make better use of its relatively mature and low-cost digital technologies to help these countries bridge the digital divide effectively," Lan said.

Yu Hongjun, former vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also mentioned that the digital economy has become one of the most dynamic and promising economic forms in the world, and cooperation in this sector can provide new impetus for the progress of civilization in countries and regions involved in the BRI.

"The countries and regions involved in the BRI have regarded the digital economy as a key force to enhance national competitiveness and are eager to accelerate the construction of their digital infrastructure," said Yu.

"Many Chinese giants of the digital economy, such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Huawei Technologies Co and Xiaomi Corp, are already working on foreign cooperation. We have also actively established cooperation mechanisms in e-commerce with other countries, providing them with technical support and personnel training in various forms," Yu added.

According to a white paper released last month by China's State Council Information Office, by the end of 2022, China had signed memorandums of understanding on building the Digital Silk Road with 17 countries, memorandums on e-commerce cooperation with 30 countries, and memorandums on closer investment cooperation in the digital economy with 18 countries and regions.

liuzizheng@chinadaily.com.cn