The "internet plus" strategy was proposed by Tencent President and CEO Ma Huateng, who explained that the strategy means using information and communication technology to integrate the Internet and traditional industries.

Internet plus X traditional industry equals online X industry. But, the practical result is by no means a simple addition.

Premier Li Keqiang first proposed Internet plus in the government work report on March 5, 2015. Li proposed integration of the mobile internet with modern manufacturing to promote e-commerce, and guide internet enterprises.

The State Council issued guidance on Internet plus after Li's approval on July 4. The guidance was an important measure to push the Internet to expand from consumption to production, upgrade industrial development, enhance innovation capacity and build new advantages.

Internet plus is to upgrade rather than upset traditional industries

Internet plus communication gave rise to instant messaging, which is used by almost everyone in the form of voice, text or even video. Traditional operators were intimidated by instant messaging Apps, because they significantly reduced voice and text income. However, with internet development, income from data traffic has far more than compensated the loss of voice service income. Therefore, the emergence of internet didn't upset the communications industry. On the contrary, it boosted the operators' business.

In transportation, mobile internet greatly challenged traditional traffic supervision. From Uber and Lyft to domestic Didi Kuaidi, the mobile internet has given rise to taxi hailing and car pooling software. Although they face disputes, they have integrated mobile internet and traditional transportation, made things easier for people to go out, increased vehicle use, and boosted economic development. The software also helped increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

In finance, banks found Yuebao e-commerce hard to control when it emerged and people were afraid of security risks. However, with studies on internet finance increasingly thorough, QR code payment standards were formulated. Internet finance has enjoyed prosperous development and national policy support.

The Internet has been integrated with retail and e-commerce in recent years. As Ma Huateng said, “It (Internet) has upgraded traditional industry, rather than upset it.” The mobile internet has played an especially big role in upgrading existing traditional industry.

In fact, internet plus has not only been fully applied to tertiary industry, but also made inroads into first and secondary industries. Ma said that industry internet is infiltrating from consumer goods to manufacturing, energy and new materials, and is driving transitions in traditional industry. Agricultural internet has also made its way to production fields from e-commerce and other online sales links, which brings new opportunities.