In anticipation of its Post-MWC Sharing Event in Beijing, the GSMA has announced that artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile technologies are expected to add $2 trillion (£1.58 trillion) to China’s economy by 2030, representing a substantial 8.3% of the country’s GDP. These findings, shared in the Mobile Economy China 2025 report, highlight the critical role of 5G technology, especially in the manufacturing sector, which is projected to contribute 40% of the economic benefits.
These insights come as excitement builds for MWC25 Shanghai, scheduled for June 18-20, where discussions will center around AI, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Following the success of MWC25 Barcelona, the Shanghai event will showcase China’s leadership in adopting advanced technologies across various industries.
During a media briefing, GSMA executives, including Director General Vivek Badrinath, emphasized China’s swift move toward 5G adoption, which now accounts for over half of mobile connections in the country. They noted that telecom operators are increasingly integrating AI into their solutions, leveraging advanced 5G networks to create innovations tailored to specific industries.
Badrinath remarked, “China continues to show how advanced 5G services, mobile innovation, AI, and digital services can have real economic impact.”
In preparation for the event, the GSMA met with major Chinese tech companies, fostering collaboration across various sectors. An additional focus is the GSMA’s Women for Tech initiative, which aims to promote diversity within the technology field through networking events.
Key insights from the report include the projected increase in mobile internet users and significant gains in monthly mobile data traffic. It also highlights the manufacturing sector’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge technologies.
MWC25 Shanghai will feature themes such as 5G, AI+, Connected Industries, and an inaugural Policy Leaders Forum to address regulatory challenges. Sihan Bo Chen of the GSMA stated the event will bring together top global tech players to explore how innovations in 5G and AI are shaping the future of the technology industry.