Ahead of its Post MWC Sharing Event in Beijing, the GSMA shared that the impact of mobile technologies and digital transformation will contribute $2 trillion to China’s economy, or 8.3% of China’s GDP. Published today, findings from the Mobile Economy China 2025 report forecast that 5G and its ecosystem will benefit all sectors of the Chinese economy, with the manufacturing sector expected to drive 40% of the $2 trillion economic impact by 2030.
These insights come as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) are set to be the dominant topics of discussion at MWC25 Shanghai, taking place from June 18 to 20 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and Kerry Hotel Pudong, following the success of MWC25 Barcelona.
In a media briefing ahead of the Post MWC Sharing Event, the GSMA’s Director General, Vivek Badrinath, Chief Marketing Officer, Lara Dewar and CEO GSMA Ltd, John Hoffman reflected on insights from MWC25 Barcelona and previewed what’s to come at MWC25 Shanghai. The GSMA Leadership visited Chinese technology companies outside telecoms including Bytedance, iFlytek, JD.COM, Lenovo and Xiaomi to discuss collaboration with the mobile industry as well as developments for MWC25 Shanghai. In addition, CMO Lara Dewar hosted the GSMA’s Women for Tech dinner on 8 April in Beijing.
Vivek Badrinath, the director general of the GSMA, said: “China continues to show how advanced 5G services, mobile innovation, AI and digital services can have real economic impact. 5G already accounts for more than half of mobile connections in China and is the cornerstone for the mobile industry’s trillion-dollar contribution to China’s GDP today. And with AI integration, Chinese operators are putting AI at the heart of intelligent solutions across industries. I am excited to be here and witness first-hand how these technologies are opening new possibilities, reshaping businesses, and making lives better. I look forward to MWC25 Shanghai, which will showcase how global collaboration and innovation is accelerating the future of digital connectivity.”
Key Highlights from the Mobile Economy China 2025 Report
- In 2024, mobile technologies and services generated $1.2 trillion of economic value, around 6.2% of China’s GDP.
- Chinese operators are leading the growing shift by developing solutions for the enterprise segment by integrating AI and using their 5G Standalone (SA) and 5G-Advanced network for tailored, intelligent solutions across industries.
- While mobile technologies will benefit all sectors of the Chinese economy, some industries will see this more than others, such as manufacturing, due to their ability to incorporate the latest wave of digital technologies including 5G, IoT and AI.
- The number of mobile internet users is projected to grow from 1.17 billion in 2024 to 1.22 billion by 2030, increasing penetration from 80% to 84%.
- Mobile data traffic in China is expected to quadruple by the end of 2030, reaching almost 70GB per mobile connection per month.
Sihan Bo Chen, the head of Greater China at the GSMA, commented: “I am delighted to host our new Director General and the GSMA leadership team in Beijing this week and to gather with industry leaders at our Post MWC Sharing event. It’s testament to our heritage and vision at the GSMA in convening and bringing together stakeholders across the mobile and digital ecosystem to help foster innovation, collaboration and interoperability. As we look ahead to MWC Shanghai, we will bring together top tech players from China and the world to connect with each other and demonstrate how their advanced innovations in 5G and AI are shaping the future of the global tech industry.”
MWC25 Shanghai – from AI, APIs to startups and policymaking
Focus and excitement at the post-MWC sharing event inevitably turned to the return of MWC25 Shanghai – where worldwide innovation meets the Chinese tech ecosystem. Attendees and exhibitors will gather for a dynamic agenda of keynote sessions, conference tracks and first tech innovations focused on the event’s thought-leadership themes 5G Inside, AI+, Connected Industries and Connected Enablers. Industry and thought leaders will explore these themes at GSMA Summits, sharing insights from AI to 5G to APIs, in summits covering topics such as agentic AI, AI-powered telco, AI devices, 5G monetisation, GSMA Open Gateway, Satellite & NTN, manufacturing & production and sustainability.
The GSMA Policy Leaders Forum is coming to MWC Shanghai for the first time. This invite-only event brings together policymakers and industry leaders from around the world. It will address challenges and opportunities with a focus on the international policy and regulatory landscape that is impacting the development of the industry, and how the mobile sector has a key role in advancing digital transformation.
4FYN returns to MWC Shanghai with a fresh new energy in Hall N3, and will bring together startups, investors and enterprises to help drive innovation and investment within the start-up and innovation community.
New for 2025, the IoT industry showcase, IOTE, will co-locate at MWC25 Shanghai in Hall N5, highlighting areas from RFID and sensors to edge computing and IoT cloud platform.
They will also showcase GSMA Open Gateway, which is setting a new standard for global mobile connectivity and innovation. All 14 mobile operators across Greater China have signed up and implemented key APIs. China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom have achieved the first cross-network integration of 5G Quality on Demand (QoD) through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. Following this step, China’s three largest mobile operators are set to release more GSMA Open Gateway APIs, such as anti-fraud services. The GSMA welcomes the wider ecosystem to join this initiative, to explore the convergence of AI and vertical industries and cross-industry business models.
Registration is now open. Enjoy our benefit to you as a supporting partner at MWC Shanghai – register for your FREE Discovery Exhibition Pass now via register.mwcshanghai.com/ or use code FVPHA8Y8DF .
Download the Mobile Economy China 2025 Report by clicking here.
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