Big data industry booming in Guangxi

South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has witnessed a boom in its big data industry in recent years, and an ecosystem for the industry has gradually taken shape, achieving initial success in the construction of the region's digital economy demonstration zone, according to regional government officials on May 30. 

Encouraged by the central and regional government, Guangxi is expected to greatly promote deeper integration of traditional industries with internet, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to become a center of digital economic development and cooperation for ASEAN countries and regions.

Over the past few years, Guangxi has focused on the development of its emerging industries, including AI, satellite geographic information systems, and blockchain. As a result, several big data projects have been carried out in the region, such as the China-ASEAN (Huawei) AI Joint Innovation Center and the China-ASEAN Geographic Information Town, according to Zhong Sui, deputy director of Guangxi's Big Data Development Bureau.

In addition, the region has accelerated the clustering of the new generation of electronic information industries, including the Internet of Things, 5G communication, virtual reality (VR), and network security, said Zhong.

Zhong added that the region is promoting the deeper integration of the three main industries of internet, big data, and AI, achieving the widespread application of big data in healthcare, education, employment, social insurance, housing, and senior care industries. He noted that Guangxi leads in the development of its integrated digital government service platform among the nation's non-pilot provinces and regions.

Guangxi has also founded the Digital Guangxi Group in May 2018, which is positioned as a cooperation, investment, and incubation platform of digital economy for Guangxi and ASEAN nations. It has introduced a range of domestic famous enterprises and accelerated the cultivation of leading enterprises in the region.  

Currently, Guangxi is speeding up the construction of an integrated digital government service platform, which will be an important pivot for the region's government affairs service, said Zhong.