Expert: China's experience in digital infrastructure, e-commerce and skills development can support BRICS economic transformation

China can support BRICS countries in their digital transformation in three key areas: infrastructure, e-commerce platforms and innovation coordination. This was stated by Xie Hongjun, Researcher at the BRICS Research Centre at the University of International Business and Economics of China, in the TV BRICS programme BRICSdialogue.

According to Xie Hongjun, over the past decade China has made significant progress in developing 5G networks, cloud computing and data centres. Today, the country has more than 5 million 5G base stations, which, according to the expert, makes China's network the largest in the world.

"China's digital economy accounts for more than 40 per cent of its gross domestic product. And cross-border e-commerce continues to grow very fast. What is especially valuable for BRICS is that China has created highly efficient systems to link online payments, logistics and supply chains. [...] Digital transformation is not only about technology. It also requires investments, policy interventions and trust among members. [...] This ecosystem approach can help BRICS countries join the developer standards in areas such as AI governance, digital trade rules and cybersecurity"

Xie Hongjun Researcher at the BRICS Research Centre of the University of International Business and Economics of China

The expert also identified digital skills development as another area of cooperation. He explained that China is expanding higher education programmes in digital fields, encouraging closer cooperation between universities and industry, and developing lifelong learning systems to retrain existing specialists. He noted that the number of digitally skilled workers in China currently exceeds 300 million people, and demand for such professionals continues to grow.

"China can share two important lessons with BRICS countries. The first is interdisciplinary training. Future digital talent should understand technology, economics, management, and international rules at the same time. The second is inclusive access. Digital education should not only serve people in major cities or in top institutions. It should reach everyone," the expert said.

Answering a question about the main priority for accelerating the digitalisation of BRICS economies, Xie Hongjun named digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. Without a strong foundation and user trust, he explained, it is impossible to develop artificial intelligence, big data and digital trade – areas that serve as the basis for everything else.