Key Takeaways
• AI and mobile technologies are projected to add $2 trillion to China’s GDP by 2030, according to GSMA.
• 5G-enabled manufacturing is expected to drive 40% of this growth, underscoring its role in China’s industrial strategy.
• Over 50% of China’s mobile connections now operate on 5G, highlighting widespread infrastructure adoption.
• GSMA partners with tech firms like Bytedance, JD.com, and Xiaomi, while promoting diversity through ‘Women for Tech’.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile technologies are on track to inject $2 trillion into China’s economy by 2030, equivalent to 8.3% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to a new forecast from the GSMA.
The announcement was made in advance of the organization’s Post-MWC Sharing Event in Beijing and is supported by data from its Mobile Economy China 2025 report.
5G Adoption Drives Industrial Productivity
At the heart of this economic forecast is 5G technology, which has seen rapid deployment across China.
The report indicates that more than 50% of China’s mobile connections are now powered by 5G, laying the groundwork for large-scale digital transformation across industries.
The manufacturing sector alone is expected to contribute 40% of the projected economic gains, signaling how critical advanced connectivity has become to China’s industrial competitiveness.
• 5G penetration exceeds 50% of mobile connections in China
• Manufacturing will account for 40% of $2 trillion in expected GDP impact
• 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced technologies are central to AI integration
AI’s Expanding Role in Enterprise Solutions
The GSMA highlights the growing integration of AI within business and industrial applications, supported by next-gen mobile networks. Enterprises are deploying AI models for real-time optimization, predictive maintenance, and process automation.
“China continues to show how advanced 5G services, mobile innovation, AI, and digital services can have a real economic impact.”
— Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA
China’s leadership in merging AI and mobile infrastructure illustrates how advanced connectivity is enabling intelligent, scalable systems across logistics, finance, healthcare, and beyond.
Cross-Industry Partnerships and Gender Inclusion
The GSMA’s initiative also focuses on building interconnected ecosystems with Chinese tech leaders. Active collaborations include companies such as Bytedance, iFlytek, JD.com, Lenovo, and Xiaomi, all of which contribute to advancing AI, mobile services, and platform innovation.
Additionally, the GSMA emphasized its ‘Women for Tech’ program, designed to increase gender diversity in the telecommunications and digital services sectors.
The initiative, led by Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, was featured prominently in the Beijing event.
• Partnerships span leading tech firms across AI and mobile innovation
• ‘Women for Tech’ campaign addresses gender inclusion in the tech sector
• Industry collaboration is seen as key to future-proofing the digital economy
Mobile Economy Growth: Present and Future
GSMA estimates place 2024’s mobile technology economic contribution at $1.2 trillion, or 6.2% of China’s GDP.
Looking forward, the mobile internet user base is expected to reach 1.22 billion by 2030, accompanied by a significant rise in data consumption per user.
The expansion of mobile access and data usage is seen as both a driver and result of digital transformation, reinforcing the sector’s position as a pillar of economic resilience and growth.
Open Gateway Initiative: Standardizing API Access
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative, which promotes standardized APIs across telecom operators, has gained full support in Greater China.
All 14 major operators, including China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, are participating in the program.
The framework is intended to streamline application development across different networks, enabling developers to innovate without technical silos.
This open standardization effort reflects the broader move toward interoperability and scalability in telecom services, particularly as AI applications become more complex and multi-platform.
GSMA’s $2 trillion projection underscores how the fusion of AI capabilities with expansive 5G networks is reshaping China’s economic landscape.
The forecast is not merely aspirational—it is grounded in ongoing infrastructure deployment, public-private collaboration, and inclusive policy frameworks.
By positioning AI and mobile technologies as cornerstones of national development, China is crafting a scalable model for digital transformation—one that could influence global strategies in emerging and developed markets alike.
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