Xiamen, a coastal tech hub in Southeast China, is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in artificial intelligence, with its industry scale reaching RMB 33.6 billion (US$4.6 billion) by late 2024. During a recent media tour organized by local authorities, journalists from over 20 domestic and international outlets explored how the city is deploying AI to decode 3,000-year-old oracle bone scripts, combat fraud, enhance medical diagnoses, and streamline urban governance.
From Ancient Scripts to Smart Cars
At Xiamen University's AI Research Institute, academics demonstrated breakthroughs in merging historical preservation with machine learning. Meanwhile, State-Owned Capital Investment Intelligent unveiled 'Tianqing'—China's first public security-focused AI model—which powers predictive policing tools now adopted in 12 provinces. Tech firm Meiju showcased its visual-imaging AI driving advances in photo-editing software used by 300 million global users.
Industrial Muscle Meets Innovation
Xiamen's AI sector currently spans 459 enterprises, leveraging the city's robust electronics manufacturing base. "Our integrated industry chains enable rapid commercialization," said Peng Junfeng, Chief Engineer at Xiamen's Industry Bureau. Notable exports include smart vehicles from King Long Auto, surgical imaging systems, and voice-interactive devices now operating in 100+ markets.
Roadmap to a RMB 600 Billion Future
The municipality aims to quadruple its AI economy by 2027 through four pillars: boosting R&D in large language models, upgrading smart manufacturing infrastructure, expanding 'AI+' urban applications, and building cross-border partnerships. Targeted sectors range from precision agriculture to autonomous logistics, backed by investments in computing power networks and talent hubs.
