Computing Power is the New Infrastructure for High-Quality Economic Development

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC explicitly proposed to "construct and operate national data infrastructure to facilitate data sharing."[1]1 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in July 2024 and is a key meeting where major decisions on reform and economic policy are made. This is an inherent requirement of deepening the integration of the real economy and the digital economy in the course of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. In fact, as a key component of the new digital infrastructure, computing power is the foundation for the application of digital technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Accelerating the construction of computing power infrastructure is the base that unlocks the value of data elements and underpins the high-quality development of the digital economy.

党的二十届三中全会明确提出，要“建设和运营国家数据基础设施，促进数据共享”。这是新一轮科技革命和产业变革深入发展过程中，促进实体经济和数字经济深度融合的内在要求。事实上，作为数字新基建的重要组成部分，算力是云计算、人工智能等数字技术应用的基础。加快推进算力基础设施建设，是释放数据要素价值、支撑数字经济高质量发展的底座。

A Cornerstone for Guaranteeing High-Quality Digital Economy

保障数字经济高质量的基石

The digital economy is a new economic form that relies on digital technology and data resources to reshape the modes of production, circulation, exchange, and consumption on the basis of digital transformation. As the fundamental support for the operation and development of the digital economy, computing power is the base that releases the value of data elements and activates their potential; it is the cornerstone for guaranteeing the healthy development of the digital economy. At present, computing power has become a strategic high ground in global technological competition and an important indicator of national competitiveness. Major economies worldwide have made computing power a key development direction, increasing R&D investment in order to secure a dominant position in future competition.

数字经济是以数字技术和数据资源为支撑，在数字化转型基础上重塑生产、流通、交换和消费方式的新经济形态。作为数字经济运行发展的基础性支撑，算力是释放数据要素价值、激活数据潜能的底座，是保障数字经济健康发展的基石。目前，算力已成为全球科技竞争的战略制高点，是衡量国家竞争力的重要指标。全球主要经济体纷纷把算力作为重要发展方向，加大研发投入，以期掌握未来竞争主导权。

On the one hand, computing power has become the foundational support for the application of digital technologies and the operation of the digital economy. The new models and new business forms spawned by the large-scale commercial application of new-generation information technology are essentially the result of the comprehensive enhancement of capabilities in data collection, transmission, processing, and analysis. The collection, analysis, and processing of massive data resources all require powerful computing power support. On the other hand, computing power has become a key factor constraining industrial transformation. As digital technologies are applied more deeply across industries, the digital transformation of traditional industries is accelerating, and the demand for computing power is also growing. The digital transformation of traditional industries depends on whether digital technology can be effectively integrated with industry-specific technologies, while the smooth operation of the new models after integration is constrained by the supply of computing power. At the same time, the computing power supply system and the construction of computing power infrastructure have driven the development of upstream and downstream industrial chains in the digital industry, giving rise to a number of enterprises that primarily provide cloud computing, blockchain technology, and other services, thereby injecting new momentum into the transformation and upgrading of the industrial structure. In fact, the stimulating effect of computing power on the macroeconomy has already become apparent. According to the *Global Computing Power Index Assessment Report 2022–2023*, for every 1-point increase in the computing power index, the digital economy added value and GDP grow by 3.6‰ and 1.7‰, respectively.

一方面，算力已成为数字技术应用和数字经济运行的基础性支撑。新一代信息技术大规模商业化应用所催生的各种新模式、新业态，本质上是数据收集、传输、处理、分析能力全方位提升的结果。而海量数据资源的收集、分析和处理都需要强大的算力支持。另一方面，算力成为制约产业变革的重要因素。随着数字技术在各个行业应用的不断深入，传统产业的数字化转型开始加速，对算力的需求也在不断增长。传统产业的数字化转型取决于数字技术能否与行业技术实现有效融合，而融合后新模式的顺畅运行则受制于算力的供给。与此同时，算力供给体系和算力基础设施建设带动了数字产业上下游产业链的发展，涌现出一批以提供云计算、区块链技术等为主业的企业，为产业结构的转型升级注入新的动能。事实上，算力对宏观经济的拉动作用已经开始显现。根据《2022—2023全球计算力指数评估报告》，算力指数每提升1点，数字经济增加值和GDP将分别增长3.6‰和1.7‰。

China Has Made Significant Progress in Computing Power Infrastructure Construction

我国算力基础设施建设取得重大进展

In recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the construction of computing power infrastructure, successively issuing a series of policy documents such as the *Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Computing Power Infrastructure* and the *Implementation Opinions on Deeply Implementing the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" Project and Accelerating the Construction of a Nationally Integrated Computing Power Network*.[2]2 The "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project (东数西算) is a national initiative launched in 2022 to coordinate computing resource deployment by transferring data processing tasks from the eastern coastal regions to the western interior, where energy and land costs are lower. With strong support from national policies, China has made significant progress in computing power infrastructure construction: the scale of computing power has increased continuously, the network layout has been continuously optimized, and computing power capabilities have been steadily enhanced.

近年来，我国政府高度重视算力基础设施建设，相继出台了《算力基础设施高质量发展行动计划》《关于深入实施“东数西算”工程 加快构建全国一体化算力网的实施意见》等一系列政策文件。在国家政策的大力支持下，我国算力基础设施建设取得重大进展，算力规模不断增加，网络布局不断优化，算力能力不断提升。

First, the scale of computing power in China has continued to grow, with an annual growth rate of nearly 30%. As of June 2024, the total computing power scale of China reached 246 EFLOPS (2460 trillion floating-point operations per second), ranking second in the world, and the total number of standard racks in use exceeded 8.3 million. With the continuous application of intelligent technologies such as large models, intelligent robots, and autonomous driving, intelligent computing power has shown especially high growth momentum, with a growth rate of over 70% in 2023, becoming the main direction of computing power growth. The rapid expansion of computing power scale has promoted the deep application of digital technologies and provided strong momentum for the digital transformation of industries.

首先，我国算力规模持续增长，年增长率将近30%。截至2024年6月，我国算力总规模达246EFLOPS（2460万亿次浮点运算），位居全球第二位，在用机架总规模超过830万标准机架。随着大模型、智能机器人、自动驾驶等智能技术不断应用，智能算力更是展现出高增长势头，2023年增速超过70%，成为算力增长的主要方向。算力规模的快速增长促进了数字技术的深度应用，为产业数字化转型提供了强大的动力支持。

Second, with the deep implementation of the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project, a computing power network architecture has been preliminarily formed. Since 2022, when the state officially launched the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project, the construction of eight national computing hub nodes, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has been advancing. China's computing power network architecture has been initially formed, and the uneven spatial distribution of computing resources has been significantly improved, achieving nationwide coordination of computing power and efficient scheduling of dispersed computing resources, thereby raising the overall level of computing power in China.

其次，随着“东数西算”工程深入实施，算力网络架构已经初步形成。自2022年国家正式启动“东数西算”工程以来，京津冀、长三角、粤港澳大湾区等八个国家算力枢纽节点建设不断推进，我国算力网络架构已经初步形成，算力资源空间分布不均衡状况得到较大改善，实现了算力的全国统筹和各地分散算力的高效调度，提升了我国整体算力水平。

Third, the deployment of computing power networks exhibits a clustering characteristic, forming a new pattern of coordinated development between the eastern and western regions. Under the advancement of the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project, the construction of computing power node hubs in China presents a tiered layout from east to west and a clustering development feature. Among them, the eastern region has deployed three computing power nodes: the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, mainly used for businesses with high network latency requirements such as industrial internet, telemedicine, and financial securities. The central and western regions have deployed five computing power node hubs: Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, and Chengdu-Chongqing, mainly used for businesses with relatively lower network latency requirements, undertaking non-real-time computing demands such as back-end data processing, offline analysis, and storage backup for nationwide data.

再次，算力网络部署呈现集群化特点，形成东西部协同发展新格局。在“东数西算”工程的推进下，我国算力节点枢纽建设呈现从东到西梯次布局的特征和集群化发展的特点。其中，东部地区布局了京津冀、长三角、粤港澳大湾区三个算力节点，主要应用于工业互联网、远程医疗、金融证券等对网络延时要求比较高的业务，中西部地区布局了贵州、内蒙古、甘肃、宁夏、成渝五个算力节点枢纽，主要应用于对网络延时相对较低的业务，用于承接全国范围数据的后台加工、离线分析、存储备份等非实时算力需求。

Finally, green and low-carbon development has become an important direction for the construction and operation of computing power infrastructure. With the accelerated expansion of demand for computing power, the scale of data centers in China is growing rapidly, and the electricity consumption required for building data centers is enormous. Therefore, under the national "dual-carbon" goals,[3]3 The "dual-carbon" goals refer to China's targets of achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. how to achieve the greening of the computing power industry will become a key factor constraining the development of computing power.

最后，绿色低碳成为算力基础设施建设运营的重要方向。随着算力需求的加速扩张，我国数据中心规模高速增长，建设数据中心所需的电力消耗巨大。因此，在国家“双碳”目标下，如何实现算力产业绿色化将会成为制约算力发展的关键。

Although China has made significant progress in computing power infrastructure construction, it currently still faces problems such as an inadequate standard system. First, high-end computing power chips in China face the risk of being "bottlenecked." At present, the degree of self-controllability in China's computing power chip field is limited; high-end computing power chips and key components rely heavily on imports, which to a large extent affects the process of building China's computing power industry. Second, the development of the computing power industry faces constraints from electricity supply. Electricity is the foundation for supporting the operation of computing power, and the main cost of computing power operation also comes from electricity. Particularly with the increasing demand for intelligent computing power, the demand for electricity is also growing rapidly, and electricity costs have become a key factor constraining the development of the computing power industry. Third, the technical standard system for computing power needs to be improved. Currently, technical standards in the computing power field are not yet well-established, lacking unified industry standards and norms, which leads to obstacles in the compatibility and sharing of many products and services, affecting the overall development of the computing power industry.

虽然我国算力基础设施建设取得重大进展，但是目前来看，我国算力发展还面临标准体系不健全等问题。一是我国高端算力芯片面临“卡脖子”风险。当前，我国算力芯片领域的自主可控程度有限，高端算力芯片和关键元器件严重依赖进口，在很大程度上影响了我国算力产业建设进程。二是算力产业发展面临电力供给的制约。电力是支撑算力运行的基础，算力运行的主要成本也是来自电力。特别是随着智能算力需求的不断增加，对电力的需求也在急速增长，电力成本已经成为制约算力产业发展的关键要素。三是算力的技术标准体系有待完善。目前，算力领域技术标准尚不健全，缺乏统一的行业标准和规范，导致很多产品和服务间的兼容共享存在障碍，影响了算力产业的整体发展。

Recommendations for Advancing Computing Power Infrastructure

推进算力基础设施的建议

We need to coordinate and advance the construction of computing power infrastructure. On the basis of intensifying efforts in core technological breakthroughs for computing power chips, we should optimize the spatial layout of the computing power network, actively promote the transformation and application of computing power, build a sound computing power industrial ecosystem, and promote the high-quality development of China's digital economy.

我们需要统筹推进算力基础设施建设，在加大算力芯片核心技术攻关的基础上，优化算力网络空间布局，积极推进算力应用转化落地，构建良好的算力产业生态，促进我国数字经济高质量发展。

Advance key technological breakthroughs in computing power chips to consolidate the foundation for computing power development. First, leverage the advantages of the new nationwide system for mobilizing resources,[4]4 The "new nationwide system for mobilizing resources" (新型举国体制) is a state-led institutional mechanism that concentrates national resources—including funding, talent, and enterprises—to achieve breakthroughs in strategically important technologies. focus on core areas and key directions of computing power chips, and increase R&D support. Through major national science and technology innovation projects such as the National Key R&D Program, major special projects, and national funds, increase support for R&D in semiconductor equipment, materials, and key processes. Second, encourage the participation of multiple R&D entities such as universities, research institutes, and enterprises to accelerate key core technological breakthroughs in chips, promote fundamental and original technological breakthroughs in large-model algorithms and frameworks, and raise the level of domestic substitution and independent innovation capability. Third, explore diversified investment mechanisms; leverage the driving role of government investment funds; encourage local governments to increase investment in the computing power industry; and at the same time, innovate social financing models to encourage the flow of social capital into the computing power industry.

推进算力芯片关键技术攻关，夯实算力发展底座。一是发挥新型举国体制优势，聚焦算力芯片的核心领域和重点方向，加大研发支持力度。通过国家重点研发计划、重大专项、国家基金等科技创新重大项目，加大对半导体设备、材料和关键工艺方面的研发支持力度。二是鼓励高校、科研院所、企业等研发主体多方参与，加快芯片关键核心技术攻关，推动大模型算法、框架等基础性、原创性的技术突破，提升国产化水平和自主创新能力。三是探索多元化投入机制，发挥政府投资基金的带动作用，鼓励地方政府加大对算力产业的投入，同时创新社会融资模式，鼓励社会资本向算力产业流动。

Strengthen top-level design and optimize the spatial layout of the computing power network. First, appropriately advance the deployment of the computing power industry. On the basis of the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project, strengthen overall planning and coordination, appropriately advance deployment in key areas, and at the same time enhance policy synergy to form a unified and coordinated decision-making mechanism. Second, promote the construction of computing power infrastructure in a holistic manner; strengthen the construction of national hub nodes for the integrated computing power network; promote the construction of computing power infrastructure as needed; improve the utilization efficiency of computing power infrastructure; and at the same time, guide computing power resources to be transferred to western provinces and regions such as Guizhou and Gansu to meet the computing power needs of some low-latency businesses.

加强顶层设计，优化算力网络空间布局。一是适度超前部署算力产业。在“东数西算”工程基础上，加强整体性谋划和协调，在关键领域适度超前部署，同时加强政策合力，形成统一协调的决策机制。二是要整体性推进算力基础设施建设，加强一体化算力网络国家枢纽节点建设，按需推进算力基础设施建设，提高算力基础设施的利用效率，同时引导算力资源向贵州、甘肃等西部省区转移，满足一些低延时业务的算力需求。

Promote the integrated development of green energy and the computing power network. First, strengthen policy coordination, study the implementation pathways, institutional mechanisms, and standards and norms for the coordinated development of green electricity and the computing power network, and clarify key directions and areas for advancement. Second, coordinate the layout of green electricity and computing power transmission. Prioritize the location of computing power centers in areas rich in green electricity resources and with low electricity costs, and transfer the computing power demand from the eastern coastal areas to computing power centers in the west through information networks, thereby reducing the cost of computing power usage. Third, promote joint dispatching of green electricity and computing power. Give full play to the flexible regulation characteristics of computing power centers, strengthen joint dispatching of electricity and computing power to match computing power with the characteristics of renewable energy, promote the consumption of renewable energy, and ensure the safe operation of the power grid.

推进绿色能源和算力网络融合发展。一是加强政策统筹协调，研究绿色电力与算力网络协同发展的实施路径、体制机制和标准规范，明确重点推进方向和领域。二是统筹绿色电力与算力输送布局。在绿电资源丰富、电力成本较低的地方优先布局算力中心，通过信息网络将东部沿海的算力需求转移到西部的算力中心，降低算力使用成本。三是推进绿色电力与算力联合调度。充分发挥算力中心灵活调节特性，加强电力与算力联合调度，使算力与可再生能源的特性相匹配，促进可再生能源消纳，保障电网运行安全。

Expand application scenarios for the computing power network and cultivate a sound computing power industrial ecosystem. First, provide customized solutions for the different computing power needs of various industries and fields, and actively explore valuable, replicable, and scalable application scenarios. Second, use application demonstrations as guidance to promote the landing of computing power services in more application scenarios. Focus on typical industries such as the industrial internet, intelligent transportation, and digital government; continuously promote computing power to help transform and upgrade traditional industries; and accelerate the implementation of computing power applications. Third, focus on the construction of the software and hardware ecosystem related to computing power; strengthen the adaptation and coordination of hardware, basic software, and application software; raise the level of advanced industrial foundations; and promote the formation of synergy among upstream and downstream players in the industrial chain to jointly build a sound development ecosystem.

拓展算力网络应用场景，培育良好的算力产业生态。一是针对不同行业和领域对算力的不同需求，提供个性化的解决方案，并积极探索有价值、可推广复制的应用场景。二是以应用示范为引导，促进算力服务在更多应用场景落地。聚焦工业互联网、智能交通、数字政府等典型行业，持续推动算力助力传统行业转型升级，推动算力应用加速落地。三是围绕算力相关软硬件生态体系建设，加强硬件、基础软件、应用软件等适配协同，提升产业基础高级化水平，推动产业链上下游多方形成合力，共建良好发展生态。

(This article is a phased result of the National Social Science Fund major project "Research on the Synergistic Mutual Promotion Mechanism of Innovation and Governance for High-Quality Development of the Digital Economy" (22&ZD071).)

（本文系国家社科基金重大项目“数字经济高质量发展的创新与治理协同互促机制研究”（22&ZD071）阶段性成果）

(The authors are Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Quantitative and Technical Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Second-level Research Fellow at the Institute of Quantitative and Technical Economics / Laboratory of Economic Big Data and Policy Evaluation, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, respectively.)

（作者系中国社会科学院数量经济与技术经济研究所副研究员；中国社会科学院数量经济与技术经济研究所/中国社会科学院经济大数据与政策评估实验室二级研究员）

Online editor: Huihui

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