The Chinese government unveiled an "Internet Plus" action plan on Saturday, in a move to further integrate the Internet with traditional industries and fuel economic growth.
The notion of "Internet Plus" was mentioned by Premier
Li Keqiang in March in his government work report delivered to the annual session of the country's top legislature.
The "Internet Plus" action plan will integrate mobile Internet, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things with modern manufacturing, in an attempt to promote sound development of e-commerce and industrial networks, Li said.
The campaign is crucial in creating a new engine for economic growth, which slowed to a six-year low of 7 percent in the first quarter, experts said.
According to the action plan on Saturday, China will continue to push forward the integration of the Internet and traditional industries.
The action plan maps development targets and supportive measures for key sectors which the government hopes can establish new industrial modes by integrating with the Internet, such as manufacturing, agriculture, energy, finance, public services, logistics, e-commerce, traffic, biology and artificial intelligence.
The action plan has attached great importance to the development of modern agriculture. Internet technologies should be further introduced to rural areas in a bid to upgrade agricultural production and to provide market information for farmers, said the action plan.
Also, banks, securities and insurance firms are encouraged to cooperate with Internet companies so as to provide safer and more convenient financial services to the public.
To facilitate the "Internet Plus" plan, the State Council, China's cabinet, promised faster broadband and lower Internet charges in May.
The country will accelerate construction of a high-speed network with lower charges, support "Internet Plus" and foster new growth impetus, said the State Council.
Optical and broadband networks will be expanded in the countryside to improve access in 14,000 villages by the end of this year.