The digital landscape in the Chinese mainland continues to show robust momentum, marking a strong start to 2026. According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the digital industry generated a staggering revenue of 9.5 trillion yuan (approximately $1.39 trillion) in the first quarter of the year.
This represents a 12.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, the growth rate has accelerated, climbing 3.5 percentage points higher than the growth recorded during the first quarter of 2025, signaling a revitalized push in technological integration across the economy.
Profitability has seen an even more dramatic leap. The industry achieved a total profit of 737.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.6%. This surge is particularly impressive as the profit growth rate accelerated by 16.6 percentage points, reflecting improved efficiency and higher value-added services within the sector.
A key pillar of this growth remains the rapid expansion of infrastructure. By the end of March, the number of 5G base stations across the Chinese mainland surpassed 4.9 million, providing the necessary connectivity to support a wide array of digital applications and industrial upgrades.
The growth is well-distributed across various segments of the tech ecosystem. In the first three months of 2026, the value-added industrial output of major companies in the electronic information manufacturing sector expanded by 13.6% year on year. Simultaneously, the software sector maintained its steady climb, with revenue increasing by 11.7% over the same period last year.
For global investors and business professionals, these figures underscore the enduring strength and scalability of the Chinese mainland's digital infrastructure, positioning it as a central hub for technological innovation in Asia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
