China's data economy hits 6.78 trillion yuan amid AI boom

China's data industry experienced robust expansion in 2025, reaching a scale of 6.78 trillion yuan (approximately $1 trillion USD). This growth significantly bolsters the rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI) sector, according to figures unveiled at the 2026 China International Big Data Industry Expo.

The industry's output value was heavily driven by data-related software products, including AI application software, and data resource products like token services. These combined for an output value of 4.99 trillion yuan, representing 73.6% of the industry's total.

This expansion is underpinned by a substantial increase in data infrastructure. As of this month, China has built over 126,000 high-quality datasets nationwide, totaling more than 1,815 petabytes. This represents an increase of over 89% since March.

Liu Liehong, head of China's National Data Bureau, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between AI and data. "AI development is heavily driven by data," Liu stated. "Wherever AI advances, we push forward the construction and application of high-quality datasets." Guizhou province, for instance, houses 50 key data centers, with 98.4% of their capacity dedicated to AI computing by late July 2026.

China formally recognized data as a factor of production in 2019 and established the National Data Bureau in 2023, signaling a strategic focus on leveraging data for economic growth and technological advancement.

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AI development is heavily driven by data. Wherever AI advances, we push forward the construction and application of high-quality datasets.