Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings expects the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, which has seen millions turn to online working and schooling, to have a lasting impact and accelerate China’s digital infrastructure plans.
“The disease first cultivated the online habits of users – such as online channels for teaching, learning and receiving medical advice … and secondly it has also seen demand from [traditional industries] rise for internet applications,” said Tong Taosang, senior executive vice-president at Tencent, in remarks at the Global Mobile internet Conference live-streamed on Thursday.