China is pushing the pedal on developing its computing power, aiming to become a global leader in this crucial field that fuels artificial intelligence (AI) and the booming digital economy.
Data presented at the recently concluded Global Digital Economy Conference revealed China’s impressive progress. By the end of 2023, the nation boasted over 8.1 million data center racks, generating a total computing power of 230 Eflops (exaFLOPS). This unit measures a computer’s processing speed, with 1 Eflops signifying the ability to perform one quintillion floating-point operations per second.
According to Wang Xiaoli of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, computing power is the new energy driving the digital economy. It’s reshaping global economic landscapes at an unprecedented pace.
China’s ambitious plan, unveiled in October 2023, targets a 30% increase in national computing power by 2025, reaching a staggering 300 Eflops. However, this growth comes with an environmental challenge. Running these powerful systems requires substantial energy for operation and cooling.
To address this, China is adopting a two-pronged approach. First, the country is integrating green energy sources like hydrogen and solar power with computing infrastructure. Companies like Yovole Network are deploying innovative solutions, including combined cooling and power systems, to optimize energy usage.
Secondly, resource-rich western regions with abundant renewable energy are emerging as data center hubs. The city of Ulanqab, for instance, has partnered with Beijing to supply the capital with over 10,000 Pflops (petaFLOPS) of green computing power annually by 2025.
Beyond building data centers, China is also exploring ways to bring computing power directly to users. The “computing power plus” model aims to integrate AI capabilities with various sectors, including finance, education, healthcare, and transportation.
Beijing’s autonomous driving project in Yizhuang exemplifies this approach. Smart devices and multifunctional poles along the road network leverage abundant computing power to optimize traffic flow and enhance safety.
Jin Zhuanglong, China’s minister of industry and information technology said that computing power is driving innovation across all sectors. This fuels the emergence of new technologies, business models, and high-quality economic development.
China’s aggressive push in computing power reflects its determination to become a dominant force in the AI era and the digital revolution.