The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum opened in Tianjin with a flurry of cross-border collaboration, securing 1.35 billion yuan ($186 million) in strategic tech investments. Co-hosted by China's National Data Administration and Tianjin authorities, the event showcased Asia's accelerating digital transformation under the theme 'New Bonds in the Digital Economy, New Horizons for Cooperation.'
Twenty-one projects spanning computing infrastructure, smart healthcare, and low-altitude economy systems were signed during a high-profile ceremony. Over 100 companies from Beijing, Zhejiang, and Henan participated in the forum's business matchmaking sessions, with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) highlighting breakthroughs in AI, IoT, and smart manufacturing.
Four specialized sub-forums addressed critical challenges including data governance, digital education, and next-gen urban infrastructure. 'What we're seeing is a blueprint for smart city development across SCO nations,' noted a participating analyst during the 'Data-Driven Industrial Empowerment' session.
Tianjin's digital economy growth provided a compelling backdrop, with Q1 2025 figures showing 12.2% year-on-year revenue growth in core sectors. The forum's model case studies and collaboration frameworks aim to scale these successes across the SCO's Eurasian network.
With 9.4% of Tianjin's GDP now coming from digital industries, the event positions the city as a testing ground for China's national digital strategy while creating new pathways for international tech partnerships.
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SCO Digital Economy Forum secures 1.35 billion yuan in project deals
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