[Commentary] On July 23, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce the development of the industrial communications industry in the first half of 2020. At the meeting, Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, introduced that in the first half of the year, various indicators of China's industrial economy dropped first and then rose, and the production order of the industrial communications industry was basically stable.
[Concurrent] Xin Guobin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology
In the first half of the year, the value added of the industrial enterprises above designated size fell by 1.3% year-on-year, and the rate of decline narrowed by 7.1 percentage points from the first quarter. The second quarter increased by 4.4% year-on-year, and major economic indicators improved significantly. As the situation of epidemic prevention and control continues to improve and the resumption of work and production is progressing steadily, various policies and measures have been effective. Since the second quarter, the industrial economy has shown sustained and recovery growth. In general, the production order of my country's industrial communications industry is basically stable, and the main operating indicators are better than expected.
[Explanation] Xin Guobin said that in the first half of the year, while the industrial economy of major industries and key provinces improved simultaneously, new industries and new formats also showed vitality.
[Concurrent] Xin Guobin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology
In the first half of the year, the added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 4.5%, which was 5.8 percentage points higher than the growth rate of industrial enterprises above designated size. With the help of epidemic prevention and control, the release of production capacity in industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and medical instruments and equipment has accelerated. Consumer products that meet the needs of epidemic prevention and control are growing well, and key medical supplies are guaranteed in a timely and effective manner. The integration of information technology and manufacturing has accelerated, technological innovation and industrial applications such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the Internet of Vehicles have accelerated. New progress has been made in the digital transformation of traditional industries. In the first half of the year, the software and information technology service industry achieved a year-on-year growth of 6.7%.
[Commentary] Speaking of the industrial economic trend in the second half of the year, Xin Guobin said that the current international epidemic is still spreading, and the task of normalizing the domestic epidemic prevention and control is still arduous. The smooth operation of the industrial communications industry still faces major challenges, but China’s industrial economy is improving for a long time. The trend will not change.
[Concurrent] Xin Guobin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology
At present, the fundamentals of my country's industrial economy are good. This basic trend of long-term improvement will not change due to the impact of the epidemic and the impact of the international economic downturn. As the country expands the fiscal deficit and the scale of local government special debts, intensifies tax cuts and fees, and strengthens financial support to stabilize enterprises, the supporting role of infrastructure investment will be further strengthened, and the policy of ensuring employment and promoting consumption will continue to be effective , New industries, new formats and new models spawned by the epidemic will inject new momentum into economic growth. Therefore, we should also have the confidence and ability to continue to maintain the steady and positive trend of the industrial economy.
[Commentary] At the meeting, some reporters asked questions about the current 5G development in China. In this regard, Wen Ku, director of the Information and Communication Development Department and spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, also introduced.
[Concurrent] Wen Ku, Director of the Information and Communication Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Recently, an average of more than 15,000 new base stations have been opened every week. By the end of June, three companies had built and opened more than 400,000 5G base stations nationwide. We have 197 5G terminals that have obtained network access permits. There are 66 million connected to the Internet now (as of the end of June), and this data is still rising month by month with the replacement of ordinary people's mobile phones.
[Explanation] Wenku said that it will continue to promote network construction with equal emphasis on quality and efficiency, and promote the same frequency resonance of 5G and other industries. In the future, the potential of 5G in stabilizing investment, promoting consumption, and promoting upgrades will be further revealed.
Cheng Yu reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]