On 1 November 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the 14th Five-year Plan for the Development of Information and Communication Industry, which includes four major parts and 26 development priorities, and describes the development blueprint of the information and communication industry in China. It is a guiding document for the next five years to accelerate the building of a digital China, promote high-quality development of the information and communication industry, guide the behavior of market players, and allocate government public resources.

Compared with previous five-year plans, this Plan further highlights the functions and positioning of the information and communication industry: it is a strategic, fundamental and pioneering industry to build new national digital infrastructure, provide network and information services, and comprehensively support economic and social development. The Plan has identified 26 development priorities and 21 key projects in five areas. It has for the first time clearly put forward the key tasks of strengthening cross-regional and cross-industry coordination.

When it comes to international cooperation, the Plan calls for deepening international exchanges and cooperation on standards, research and development, investment and governance rules in 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. China will actively participate in global digital governance, promote the construction and improvement of international cooperation schemes, and contribute Chinese solutions to the world on key issues such as legal rules, standard development, resource management, cybersecurity, and industry regulation. China will actively participate in the formulation of rules for international organisations, encourage Chinese enterprises and public institutions to take an in-depth part in international standardisation activities and jointly develop international standards.

The Plan outlines a broad blueprint for the five-year development of the information and communication industry. The whole industry should follow the goals of the planning guidelines, grasp the opportunities of digital development, face up to difficulties and challenges, gather the strong joint force of high-quality development of the industry, and turn the blueprint into reality.