China plans to invest 2 trillion yuan in building a national AI computing network over the next five years, with domestic chips accounting for over 80%

Odaily reported that according to sources cited by Bloomberg, China is planning to invest approximately 2 trillion yuan (about $295 billion) over the next five years to build a nationwide artificial intelligence data center and unified computing network, aiming to promote the development of the domestic AI industry and enhance independent computing capabilities.

The report stated that the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments are formulating relevant blueprints, planning to build an interconnected national computing hub system, with state-owned enterprises such as China Mobile and China Telecom responsible for operating the main data centers. The plan requires that at least 80% of key technologies, including AI chips, use domestic suppliers' products, including solutions from companies like Huawei, thereby reducing reliance on US manufacturers such as Nvidia and AMD.

This plan is considered one of China's most proactive actions in AI infrastructure construction to date and is a crucial component of the "six-network construction" strategy proposed this year. Insiders revealed that project funds will primarily come from ultra-long-term special government bonds and national strategic industrial investment funds, supplemented by bank loans and social capital.

The report noted that China aims to achieve interconnection of scattered data center resources nationwide by 2028, promoting large-scale AI applications in areas such as healthcare, transportation, and urban governance. If power grid upgrades and communication infrastructure construction are included in the overall plan, the total related investment scale could exceed 5 trillion yuan. (Bloomberg)