According to a post on the WeChat account of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Information and Communication Supervision Work Conference was convened in Beijing on the evening of December 25. The conference reviewed the accomplishments during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, analyzed the prevailing situation (here, "situation" is kept as pinyin for context specificity, but its essence is captured in the translation) and the challenges that lie ahead for the next five years, and deliberated on and outlined the key tasks for the information and communication industry during the upcoming "15th Five-Year Plan" period.

The conference underscored that China will encounter both opportunities and challenges during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. It is imperative to fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, making it a standard practice within the information and communication industry. Emphasizing a people-centric approach, safeguarding user rights and interests is crucial. The industry should persist in integrated innovation, breaking free from traditional path dependencies. Unity and order must be upheld, with a firm stance against unfair competition to maintain a transparent and positive environment for industry development, thereby supporting the construction of a unified national market. Overall coordination is essential to enhance the systematic, holistic, and synergistic nature of industry development. Adhering to local conditions, innovative development models that align with local realities should be explored. Seizing the moment, the industry must tightly grasp the development opportunities in artificial intelligence, fostering new growth amidst crises and opening up new horizons amidst changes.

The conference also stressed the importance of accurately grasping the historical positioning during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, highlighting the industry's responsibility in alignment with the goals of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation. Leveraging the guiding role of planning, a series of industry development plans for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period should be formulated and implemented. The demand-oriented role should be exerted, systematically advancing the research and development of 6G technology. The foundational role of networks should be leveraged, promoting coordinated network development and coordinating the upgrading and optimization of computing power. Utilizing the market as a carrier, foundational systems should be improved, supervision levels enhanced, and irrational competition rectified.