China lays out its blueprint for AI, space internet and green energy in tech race with US

Beijing’s infrastructure buildout strategy becomes a core focus of nation’s draft 15th five-year plan amid intense rivalry with Washington

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China is planing a technology infrastructure expansion covering AI, telecommunications and space internet, while integrating green energy, to get the upper hand over the US amid a fierce tech race between the two superpowers. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:59pm, 10 Mar 2026

Beijing is planning “moderately proactive” technology infrastructure expansion covering artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications and space internet, while emphasising strength in coordinating green energy planning in tandem with computing initiatives to solidify its advantage in infrastructure amid the AI race with the US.

The infrastructure buildout plan forms a core pillar of the nation’s draft 15th five-year plan, released last week during the legislative “two sessions” meeting and still subject to final approval by the National People’s Congress.

China’s plan to expand its technological infrastructure includes the development of “a nationwide computing network” underpinned by tiered computing facilities across the country and the accelerated launch of space internet and its large-scale consumer applications.

Other areas outlined for forward-looking development include fifth-generation advanced and sixth-generation telecommunications, along with facilities supporting data and “low-altitude economy” sectors.

The infrastructure push comes at a time of intense technological rivalry with the US, with Beijing laying out ways to solidify its competitiveness.

China will “reinforce and expand its competitive advantages, overcome constraints … to secure strategic initiative in fierce international competition”, it said in the draft plan.

One such advantage Beijing highlighted in the plan included the coordinated development of computing power and green energy.

China lays out its blueprint for AI, space internet and green energy in tech race with US

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing’s infrastructure buildout strategy becomes a core focus of nation’s draft 15th five-year plan amid intense rivalry with Washington

Beijing’s infrastructure buildout strategy becomes a core focus of nation’s draft 15th five-year plan amid intense rivalry with Washington