Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

The 2025 6G Development Conference will be held on November 13 and 14 in Beijing, focusing on the creation of a unified global 6G standard and building an open and inclusive 6G innovation ecosystem, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The event will bring together domestic and international experts, representatives of international standards organizations and renowned entrepreneurs to foster global cooperation and exchange.

6G technology is at a pivotal juncture where technological innovation is accelerating and industrial directions are becoming increasingly clear. According to a press release posted on the website of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology on Wednesday, the Chinese capital city is committed to supporting the development of 6G, accelerating the formation of industrial clusters worth hundreds of billions of yuan.

China's emphasis on international exchange and an open and inclusive industrial ecosystem, in contrast to the zero-sum approach of some countries, shows that its 6G strategy extends beyond a domestic telecom upgrade. It is building a broader technology-innovation ecosystem that integrates core technologies, the industrial chains and applications - a development that also benefits the global economy.

For China, 6G's development is a visionary project designed to provide the foundation for a new stage of connectivity, enabling a host of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence-driven automation, the Internet of Things, smart cities and autonomous systems. This emphasis on fundamental digital infrastructure is about building a foundation that supports sustained digital growth.

As the world's leader in 5G rollouts, China has demonstrated its ability to deliver cost-effective solutions, providing affordable, scalable infrastructure that supports global digital transformation.

As of the end of September, the number of 5G base stations in China had surpassed 4.7 million, and the number of 5G mobile subscribers had reached 1.167 billion, according to the China News Service, citing data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. 

Built on this large-scale, high-speed, low-cost digital infrastructure, China's technology-driven digital economy has developed rapidly. According to the 2024 Digital China Development Report released by the National Data Administration in May, the scale of core industries in the digital economy continued to expand steadily, accounting for about 10 percent of GDP.

In terms of international cooperation, despite geopolitical disruptions during the 5G rollout in recent years, which were caused by the zero-sum mindset of some politicians in certain countries, China has unwaveringly focused on global collaboration and digital equity, creating opportunities and benefits for countries around the world.

China's leading position in the global digital economy and its pioneering efforts in 6G development will continue to bring significant benefits to global development. This influence can be observed in several key areas, including technological innovation, international collaboration and economic integration. 

As China continues to advance in digital infrastructure and next-generation technologies, its leadership has the potential to reshape global digital ecosystems, foster inclusive growth, and drive collective technological progress.

China's approach to 6G development and technology innovation has been fundamentally open and inclusive with the aim to create shared opportunities for global growth. For developing countries, China's 6G investments and digital platforms offer them a way to bridge the digital divide.

However, geopolitical disruptions by certain nations may continue to pose challenges for global cooperation. The Western countries that arbitrarily restricted Chinese firms, under the pretext of security concerns, may continue to create artificial political barriers that can hinder global progress, particularly in regions that depend on affordable digital infrastructure for their economic development.

Despite these challenges, China is expected to focus on advancing at its own pace, and remains committed to technological self-reliance and long-term growth. Supported by sustained investment in digital infrastructure, China's technology development will continue unabated, demonstrating its resilience in the face of external resistance. 

China's 6G development will likely continue to be driven by a commitment to global collaboration and digital equity, reinforcing its role as a strategic leader in the global digital economy while ensuring that next-generation infrastructure benefits all nations.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn