2016年-中国信通院_中国-东盟信息化发展与合作白皮书2016年-英文版_45页_833kb

Summary of the White Paper on China - ASEAN Information Technology Development and Cooperation (2016)

Core Content

This white paper outlines the foundation, development, and future prospects of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) cooperation between China and ASEAN. It emphasizes the mutual benefits of ICT development, the importance of infrastructure and e-commerce, and the need for enhanced collaboration in cybersecurity, smart cities, and internet applications. The document also proposes strategic recommendations for deepening cooperation and achieving common goals in the digital economy.

Main Points

1. Economic and Strategic Foundation for Cooperation

• Geographic and cultural proximity: China and ASEAN share interconnected geography, strong cultural ties, and close business relations, making them natural partners for ICT cooperation.
• Economic growth: China has maintained an average GDP growth of over 6% annually, while ASEAN's GDP reached $2.47 trillion in 2014. With continued growth, both sides are expected to become key growth poles in the global economy.
• Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrades: The China-ASEAN FTA has been upgraded, leading to increased trade and investment, which in turn enhances the need for improved information exchange and connectivity.
• ICT as a key driver: The digital economy and internet applications are seen as important engines for economic development and social transformation.

2. ICT Development in China and ASEAN

• China's ICT development:

  • Has 710 million Internet users, with a penetration rate of 51.7% (2015).
  • Fixed broadband coverage reached 95% of administrative villages, with 4G networks covering major cities.
  • Broadband tariffs have decreased significantly, with a 50.6% drop in fixed broadband and 39.3% in mobile data.
  • China's ICT Development Index (IDI) increased from 3.58 in 2011 to 5.05 in 2015, surpassing the global average.

• ASEAN's ICT development:

  • Internet penetration rate reached 40.67% in 2015, with 260 million users.
  • Mobile broadband penetration is significantly higher than fixed broadband, with some countries like Thailand showing rapid growth.
  • The IDI of ASEAN increased from 3.51 in 2011 to 4.51 in 2015, with Singapore leading in the region.
  • The ASEAN broadband corridor is under development, with a 165-fold increase in international Internet bandwidth.

3. Key Areas of ICT Cooperation

• Regional information highway:

  • A shared goal to narrow the digital divide between regions and urban-rural areas.
  • China and ASEAN are working on interconnectivity, with initiatives such as the "Broadband China" strategy and the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020.

• E-commerce:

  • A major driver of the digital economy, with China leading globally in e-commerce transactions.
  • Cross-border e-commerce is a key area of cooperation, with China's e-commerce transactions expected to reach $6.5 trillion by 2016.
  • ASEAN's e-commerce market is still in its early stages, with only 16% of online shoppers and less than 1% of global e-commerce transactions.
  • Payment and logistics are major bottlenecks for ASEAN's e-commerce growth, with China offering solutions through its integrated e-commerce ecosystems.

• Internet applications:

  • Rapid growth in areas such as the sharing economy, social media, and internet culture.
  • In-depth cooperation in internet applications can strengthen people-to-people bonds and foster better relations.

• Smart cities:

  • A new model for integrated IT application, focusing on urban governance and population management.
  • Cooperation between China and ASEAN in smart city development is increasing, with tangible progress in public services and urban management.

• Cybersecurity and governance:

  • A strategic new topic for both sides, with efforts to build a multilateral, democratic, and transparent internet governance system.
  • Joint cybersecurity initiatives and emergency drills have been carried out to enhance regional security.

4. Recommendations for Future Cooperation

• Build the China-ASEAN Information Harbor: To promote wider and deeper cooperation in ICT applications.
• Improve regional information highway: Enhance international connectivity and reduce transit bandwidth costs.
• Promote cross-border e-commerce: Strengthen cooperation to overcome payment and logistics challenges.
• Deepen cooperation in cyber-culture and internet services: Foster mutual understanding and people-to-people bonds.
• Advance smart city development: Encourage technical exchanges and joint projects to improve urban services.
• Jointly build a peaceful, safe, open, and cooperative cyberspace: Work together to establish a transparent and democratic Internet governance framework.

Key Information

• China's economy is the second largest in the world, contributing over 25% to global economic growth in 2015.
• The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is the world's largest among developing countries, with trade expected to reach $1 trillion by 2020.
• China has 710 million Internet users, with a penetration rate of 51.7% (2015), significantly higher than the global and Asian averages.
• ASEAN's Internet penetration rate was 40.67% in 2015, with 260 million users.
• China's IDI increased from 3.58 in 2011 to 5.05 in 2015, surpassing the global average.
• ASEAN's IDI increased from 3.51 to 4.51 in the same period, with Singapore leading the region.
• Cross-border e-commerce transactions in China reached 5.4 trillion yuan in 2015, with a 28.6% annual growth rate.
• China's e-commerce experience and infrastructure can serve as a model for ASEAN's development.
• The China-ASEAN Information Harbor and regional information highway are key projects to enhance connectivity and cooperation.