SCO Digital Economy Forum in Tianjin Bolsters Cooperation

• China’s spectacular growth of digital industry offers cooperation opportunities for the SCO member states to boost the development of their digital economies.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

• Tianjin:  The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum was held in north China’s Tianjin Municipality on Friday, highlighting new horizons for cooperation among SCO member states.

Themed “New Bonds in the Digital Economy, New Horizons for Cooperation,” the forum featured an opening ceremony, a main forum, four thematic sub-forums and related activities.

The forum included a ministerial-level closed-door meeting, open sessions, thematic discussions, and expert lectures from Tianjin universities.

Digital Economy Forum in China’s Tianjin, some foreign attendees expressed their hopes for more collaboration with China in digital sectors

Speaking at the forum, Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration (NDA), said at the forum that SCO member states have engaged in significant cooperation in areas such as digital infrastructure construction, digital transformation of traditional industries and collaborative industrial development.

These efforts are driving the growth of the digital economy and technological innovation, injecting new momentum into regional development, Liu added.

According to official sources, the forum was co-organized by the NDA and the Tianjin municipal government and it drew over 1,500 guests from governments, enterprises, universities and think tanks of SCO member states.

Participants from Eurasian region discussed topics such as industrial development empowered by digital integration, digital talent cultivation, data governance and digital infrastructure construction.

Resenting digital economy developments in Pakistan at the forum, Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha (UOS) Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas took part in a panel discussion on “Digital Economy and Higher Education Collaboration,” where he highlighted the role of universities in fostering innovation, digital skills, and international academic partnerships.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas attended the launching ceremony of the Digital Economy Universities Alliance, a new platform aimed at promoting cross-border collaboration among universities to advance digital transformation in education and research.

Pakistan delegates highlighted both opportunities and challenges in implementing the digital economy and stressed the importance of international cooperation in overcoming these challenges. Prof. Dr. Qaisar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to actively cooperating with SCO members in developing the digital economy.

Participants stated that the digital economy is transforming societies and business operations, becoming a vital artery for future development and emphasized to build an inclusive, secure and robust digital economy for mutual benefit.

Delegates of SCO member countries pledged to jointly address digital economy challenges and build a trustworthy and resilient digital future. Ministers from SCO countries also shared updates on their national digital transformation initiatives.

More than 600 delegates participated in the forum this year.

“Adhering to the ’Shanghai Spirit’, the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on the Digital Economy Industry further strengthened exchanges, enhance mutual learning and deepen cooperation with other SCO countries, so as to expand new space for the development of this organization,” said Yu Ying, deputy director of the National Data Administration.

• Tianjin Promote high-quality development of the digital economy in SCO countries

In his remarks, Zhai Lixin, vice-mayor of Tianjin, said that it is of great importance for Tianjin to promote high-quality development of the digital economy and foster exchanges with other SCO countries.

Also, Foreign experts and officials visiting Tianjin praised the city’s blend of historical heritage and modern development, following tours of cultural landmarks.

Guests were amazed to observe the industrial digital transformation, digital technology applications, and Chinese experiences in areas such as green development, smart cities, and international cooperation, while promoting dialogue among member cities of SCO.

The SCO, founded in 2001 and now comprising 10 member states, represents nearly half the world’s population and a quarter of its landmass, People’s Daily reported. China assumed the rotating presidency of the organization for 2024–2025 and will host the SCO summit in Tianjin this autumn.

• China’s digital industry sees spectacular growth of revenue and profits in 2024

China has been committed to developing digital technology to transform and upgrade its traditional industries.

China’s digital industry saw spectacular growth of revenue and profits in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The industry’s business revenue reached 35 trillion yuan (about 4.9 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, a 5.5 percent year-on-year increase.

China’s digital industry based on the added value of major manufacturers of computers, communication devices and other electronic devices grew 11.8 percent, up 8.4 percentage points from the previous year.

Boosted by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud platforms and other emerging business activities, the country’s software sector recorded 10 percent growth in business revenue, which reached 13.7 trillion yuan.

China has accelerated the digitalization of manufacturing, and has fostered a number of service providers with both industry expertise and digital know-how besides bolstering support for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

• China offers Insights and strategies for the SCO member states to boost their development of digital economies.

China is also advancing an “AI Plus” initiative, which calls for collective efforts to effectively combine digital technologies with China’s manufacturing and market strengths, which offers valuable skills, practices and strategies for the SCO member states to boost their development of digital economies.