The 2025 SCO Digital Economy Forum kicked off in Tianjin, northern Chinese mainland, uniting government officials, academics and industry leaders from SCO member states under the theme 'New Bonds in the Digital Economy, New Horizons for Cooperation.'
Co-hosted by the Chinese mainland's National Data Administration and the Tianjin Municipal People's Government, a highlight of the event was the Digital Economy Project Signing Ceremony. Over 100 companies from Beijing, Zhejiang and Henan gathered to seal 21 deals worth a combined 1.35 billion yuan (around $186 million). These projects target key sectors:
- Computing power infrastructure
- Low-altitude economy
- Smart healthcare
- Intelligent energy
Meanwhile, the SOEs Digital Technology Application Promotion highlighted breakthroughs in AI, big data, IoT and smart manufacturing, fostering international exchange and project matchmaking under the SCO framework.
The forum included an opening ceremony, a main forum and four sub-forums on data-driven industrial empowerment; innovations in digital education and cross-border talent development; data governance and ecological collaboration; and next-generation digital infrastructure for urban futures.
Early indicators show Tianjin's digital push is paying off. In Q1 2025, core digital industries posted a 12.2% year-on-year revenue jump, with their added value making up 9.4% of the city's GDP. By showcasing model cases for China-SCO collaboration and signing key collaboration projects, the forum underscores Tianjin's role as a hub for sustainable, real-world impact in the digital economy.
Reference(s):
SCO Digital Economy Forum secures 1.35 billion yuan in project deals
cgtn.com
