Moving to distant China is like a trip to the future. Not only because of the 14-hour difference ahead that makes us find ourselves in a strange early morning, but also because of the socioeconomic evolution of the country and the technological advances that are part of everyday life.
To say that innovation and the most advanced technologies such as ubiquitous hyperconnectivity, 5G, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, digital platforms and mobile payments are part of the future, is not to understand that they are already a reality in Asia Pacific countries such as China, Japan, South Korea or Singapore.
The Mobile World Congress Shanghai (MWC Shanghai) allows you to enter the epicenter of the digital future. China has an undisputed leadership in technology and 5G. Visiting it shows that digital transformation is a reality that can be seen, felt and available to everyone. The fear of the United States and Europe over China’s dizzying advances and achievements is also understandable.
During my trip to the Asian giant to attend MWC Shanghai I was able to witness first-hand the advances in digital technology. China has succeeded in making 5G a daily reality thanks to a government-backed industrial policy that places research, science and technology at the core pillars of the country’s industrial policy and global competitiveness.
One of the highlighted areas is digital infrastructure. The country has invested in building a solid telecommunications infrastructure, which has allowed for broad coverage and a fast, reliable connection.
This has facilitated the integration of Internet applications and platforms into people’s daily lives. From using mobile apps to make online purchases and payments, to using transportation services like hundreds of rental bikes, and managing the digital economy, digital technology is deeply embedded in society.
China has achieved a natural integration between physical and digital infrastructures, which evidences the historical step of an agricultural, industrial and digital society. Well-planned cities are highly connected, with intelligent systems that enable efficient management of traffic, security, and other urban aspects. Airports are equipped with facial recognition and security filters that expedite boarding procedures and baggage and passport control.
Rural and urban connectivity is another outstanding aspect. The government and telecommunication operators have made significant efforts to bring digital technology to rural areas, which has improved people’s quality of life and boosted economic development in these regions. Rural connectivity has enabled access to online education services, remote healthcare, and business opportunities in previously underserved areas.
The most surprising thing is that digital infrastructures (internet, platforms, video surveillance cameras, telecommunications towers, electronic payments, QR codes everywhere) have been naturally integrated into physical infrastructures such as cities, the hundreds of residential buildings and corporations, transportation, airports and the economy as a whole.
At each well-calculated section, telecommunications towers are erected, some even without radio bases or antennas or microwaves, which means that China already has plans for greater growth, demand for connectivity, for data, and already has the infrastructure planned for this expansion. It also means that local regulatory barriers to the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure do not exist or are minimal.
From the futuristic skyscrapers of Shanghai to remote villages in rural regions, connectivity is ubiquitous. Advances in telecommunications infrastructure, driven by a visionary industrial policy, have allowed every corner of the country to be connected at ultra-fast speeds with at least 4G. The 5G network, with its low latency and high capacity, has paved the way for new applications and services that improve people’s quality of life.
Without a doubt, the digital Chinese wall and the prohibitions to use applications such as WhatsApp, search engines such as Google or Visa or Mastercard cards in certain businesses are shocking for any foreign visitor. With foresight, you can purchase an eSIM that works perfectly and is cheap, download WeChat for instant messaging and reading QR codes, integrate your debit or credit card to Alipay, install the Baidu search engine or use Microsoft’s Bing to surf the internet smoothly.
In the real lives of Chinese citizens, digital technology has been organically and transparently integrated into all facets of their daily lives, from mobile payment to smart surveillance.
The Chinese economy has fully embraced digital transformation, which is reflected in its rapid expansion and growth. E-commerce platforms have revolutionized the way people buy and sell products, even in the most remote areas of the country. Cross-border e-commerce has created new opportunities for Chinese small entrepreneurs, allowing them to reach global consumers and expand their businesses.
I was able to see the Tianjin 5G smart post. The forklifts are autonomous. The containers have sensors. The cranes are connected. The cameras are integrated with Artificial Intelligence. Everything is managed from a command and control center.
If traveling to Asia Pacific and China represents a trip to the future, what does returning to Latin America, to Mexico and going back 14 hours symbolize? It is not a return to the past but an opportunity for leaders to understand that digital transformation, no matter how late it comes, is irreversible.
Twitter: @beltmondi
