China's Nationwide Computing Power Mega Project: Boosting AI & Digital Tech in the Battle with the US

China’s Nationwide Computing Power Mega Project: Boosting AI & Digital Tech in the Battle with the US

In a bid to strengthen its position in the global technology race, China is set to launch a nationwide computing power mega project. The project, spearheaded by the National Data Administration (NDA), aims to consolidate computing resources across the country and bolster support for artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies. This move is seen as a direct challenge to the United States' dominance in the hi-tech sector.

The integrated computing power network will bring together national computing hubs, creating a pool of general-purpose, intelligent, and supercomputing power. These resources will be made available to regional data centers and the “Eastern Data and Western Computing” project, which was launched in early 2022. One of the primary objectives of this endeavor is to address regional imbalances in digital resources between the more prosperous eastern areas and the energy-rich western regions of China.

The NDA acknowledges that although the computing power gap between the east and west has narrowed in recent years, there are still significant challenges to overcome. These challenges include imbalances in the distribution of computing power, inadequate security measures in data center clusters, limited dispatching ability, and low network transmission quality. To bridge these gaps, better collaboration and synergy between the eastern and western regions, as well as between governments and companies, are required to improve China’s technological prowess.

To ensure the success of this monumental undertaking, Beijing has issued a directive to “thoroughly implement” the Eastern Data and Western Computing project and expedite the construction of a nationwide integrated computing power network. This directive mandates the collaboration of multiple agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the NDA, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the National Energy Administration. These agencies are tasked with ensuring that national computing hubs contribute the majority of the country’s computing power by 2025.

The directive also emphasizes the need for reliability and security in the network’s core technology, as well as high efficiency in the computing centers. Furthermore, at least 80% of the power used by these centers must be sourced from green energy, aligning with China’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The significance of computing power in the digital economy cannot be overstated. It forms the backbone of advances in technology, particularly in the development of large language models used to train AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT. As the United States tightens export controls on chipmaking equipment, China aims to achieve a total computing power of over 300 exaflops by 2025. This represents a significant increase from the current figure of 197 exaflops, which already ranks China second globally, trailing only the US.

The global computing power index, released by Tsinghua University, International Data Corporation, and China’s leading big data provider Inspur, places both China and the US at the top spots. This index tracks the development of comprehensive computing power, computing efficiency, applications, and infrastructure in 15 countries. The US secured the top position last year, followed closely by China, Japan, Germany, Singapore, and Britain. These rankings illustrate the fierce competition between these technological powerhouses as they strive for supremacy in the digital age.

With the launch of the nationwide computing power mega project, China aims to solidify its position as a global leader in technology. By harnessing the potential of AI and digital innovations, China seeks to challenge the US' dominance and drive the future of the digital economy. As the project takes shape, the world eagerly awaits the results of this monumental endeavor and its potential implications for the balance of power in the technological landscape.

“The computing power gap between the east and the west has narrowed in recent years, but there are still problems to be addressed. Better synergy between eastern and western regions, as well as governments and companies, is needed to improve China’s technological prowess.” - Unnamed NDA official

“China’s commitment to significantly increase its computing power showcases its determination to lead in the global technology race. This mega project will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of AI and digital technologies.” - Industry Analyst