China's national digital grand strategy, known as "Digital China," has quietly emerged as a formidable force in the global technology landscape. Astonishingly, this crucial development has largely escaped the attention of mainstream media, despite its far-reaching implications for the entire planet.

In essence, Digital China empowers China to assert its dominance in the realms of technology and data. The strategy, also referred to as "Building a Strong Digital Impetus to Develop into a Modernized Socialist Great Power," was initially proposed by President Xi Jinping more than six years ago. Its ambition and scope can be likened to the audacious proclamation of a malevolent cartoon villain plotting world domination.

While some media reports trace the origins of Digital China back to 2012, its roots extend even further into the past, entwined with Xi Jinping's enduring fascination with digital technology, which dates back over two decades. Digital China encompasses various facets of technical advancement, data intelligence, and the expansion of the digital economy. What began as a strategic plan has evolved into a comprehensive grand strategy.

Curiously, Digital China has eluded widespread attention in the West, primarily due to the language barrier. The majority of relevant documentation and information regarding the strategy are exclusively published in Chinese, making them inaccessible to non-Chinese speakers. Moreover, Western media coverage has tended to focus on individual components of China's technological initiatives, failing to provide a holistic understanding of Digital China as a
cohesive strategic entity. As a result, it appears that Western policymakers have struggled to grasp China's digital ambitions, hampering their ability to formulate a unified response.

Another obstacle to comprehending Digital China arises from deliberate disinformation campaigns and misinterpretation of the strategy…similar to what happened during COVID19 and the Wuhan lab. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tactically constructed and promoted narratives surrounding Digital China in English to shape international perceptions. However, these narratives frequently diverge from the theoretical foundations, official party definitions, and actual execution of Digital China as outlined in authoritative Chinese sources. State-controlled media, while acknowledging the existence of Digital China, often presents a very different portrayal of its objectives and implications. This intentional disinformation further complicates Western comprehension of China's digital grand strategy and at the very least, raises suspicions of Digital China’s real aims.

Understanding Digital China holds paramount importance for Western stakeholders. As the United States engages in a profound competition with China concerning technology and data standards, a comprehensive understanding of the overarching structure, underlying principles, and assumptions of Chinese policy becomes imperative. Ad hoc responses to isolated components of China's digital initiatives, such as countering Huawei's global 5G dominance or addressing concerns over TikTok's data usage, fall short of a comprehensive approach. By
acquiring a comprehensive understanding of Digital China, Western stakeholders can formulate a strategic response that effectively addresses China's ambitions and safeguards their national interests.

In terms of figures, India's digital landscape boasts significant milestones. As of January 2021, the country has surpassed 600 million internet users, positioning itself as the second-largest online population globally. Projections indicate that this number will exceed 950 million by 2025.
Furthermore, India has witnessed a rapid surge in smartphone adoption, with approximately 900 million smartphone users as of 2021. These statistics underscore the immense opportunities and challenges in harnessing India's digital potential.

#digitalchina #China #chinatechnology #digitalstrategy #chinanews #CCP #xijinping #chinanews #chinanewstoday

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