This article explains what “AI+” adds beyond “Internet+,” why China is primed (data, industry, scenarios, talent), and showcases a compute-plus-network landing path using Shenzhen Bay Park as an example.
In August 2025, China’s State Council issued a top-level opinion on the “AI+” initiative, setting milestones for 2027/2030/2035 and laying out systemic arrangements for compute, data, talent, governance, and international cooperation. From policy positioning and objectives to tasks, this “master plan” signals a new direction: AI is not only a tool for upgrading industries; it is also becoming core infrastructure and a key engine of China’s modernization.
The Three-Step Plan for AI+
China’s plan spans short, medium, and long terms:
- By 2027: Achieve broad, deep integration of AI with six priority domains; new intelligent devices and agents reach >70% adoption.
- By 2030: AI comprehensively empowers high-quality development; adoption of intelligent devices and agents exceeds 90%; the smart economy becomes a major growth pole, promoting inclusive access and shared outcomes.
- By 2035: China enters a new stage of smart economy and smart society.
This implies that within a decade, AI will be as ubiquitous as electricity or the internet—pervasive, foundational, and reliable.
What Exactly Does “AI+” Add?
The clearest way is to contrast it with 2015’s “Internet+”:
- Internet+ (2015): You open a food-delivery app, place an order, pay, and receive your meal in a range of 20–30 minutes.
- AI+ (2035): With lawful and explicit consent, AI recommends meals based on your recent health indicators and preferences; it predicts arrival to the minute using real-time traffic, and a rider or autonomous vehicle delivers to your door.
In essence, the “+” is the leap from “connection” to “decision-making + coordination.” It makes decisions and execution in every scenario more intelligent, personalized, and safe.
Why Choose China to Develop “AI+”?
(1) Abundant Data Resources
By mid-2025, China has a massive internet user base and dense 5G/gigabit coverage. In 2024, national data production grew rapidly and total compute capacity expanded. The result is a “high-coverage + high-freshness” data environment and robust network substrate that shorten the path from model training to online inference.
(2) A Complete Industrial System
China is the only country covering all UN industrial categories, with manufacturing output ranking No. 1 globally for many years. Robotics, smart hardware, V2X, and industrial software ecosystems are readily accessible nearby, shrinking the lab-to-factory cycle and enabling predictable engineering and replication.
(3) Broad Application Scenarios
A constantly densifying national network enables healthcare, industrial internet, transport, culture & tourism, and public services to run low-latency / high-reliability pilots in parallel, accelerating the path from pilot → replication → scale.
(4) Deep Talent Bench
Over 5 million STEM graduates each year build a long, steady “talent slope,” while China’s share of top AI researchers ranks among the highest. It’s easier to assemble full-stack teams—algorithm, engineering, application, and operations—and convert frontier research into deliverable products.
Landing Case: Shenzhen Bay Park’s Integrated “Compute + Network” Solution
As AI+ advances, China is building more parks to support the industry. Hongda will use Shenzhen Bay Park as an example to show the integrated infrastructure and services available to foreign enterprises.
1. Multi-Dimensional Compute Support
- T3+-grade IDC foundation: Dual utility feeds, N+1 backup power and cooling deliver steady output for large-model training/inference and big-data analytics.
- “On-park IDC + collaborative partners” model: A local + global compute pool across domestic backbones and international high-compute clusters; GPU/CPU hybrid with RDMA/InfiniBand interconnects; Kubernetes/Slurm for one-click elastic scaling.
- Cost & resilience: Object storage + parallel file systems with hot/cold tiering; flexible billing (on-demand, reserved, annual); SLA, active-active metro and geo-DR customizable per project.
2. Global Network Fabric
- Backbone capabilities: BGP multi-line/MPLS/private circuits across China and worldwide, delivering end-to-end IP-VPN, ISP, IDC, multiparty comms, and high-speed data transport.
- SD-WAN intelligent interconnect: Broad global PoP coverage; application awareness, smart routing, and QoS to tame cross-border/cross-cloud jitter; optional cloud direct-connect to cut latency and egress cost.
- Security & assurance: IPSec/SSL, Zero-Trust (ZTNA), SASE, 24×7 monitoring and full-path logs; multiple partners have passed “SD-WAN Ready 2.0” certification, making end-to-end SLA (availability/latency/packet loss) easier to sign and enforce.
What You Gain with Shenzhen Bay Park
- Faster training, steadier inference: Elastic scale-out and edge-proximate deployment improve throughput and reduce latency.
- Smoother cross-border collaboration: SD-WAN + backbone private lines keep cross-border access and model/file sync predictable.
- Manageable cost & risk: Multi-tier billing plus SLA/DR bring budget and compliance risks forward and quantifiable.
Many companies are concerned about whether they can still use a VPN to transfer data abroad in the context of internet controls when developing or operating data in China. This issue does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. Whether using a VPN in China is legal depends on its purpose and whether the VPN service itself is authorized.
In general:
- If an individual uses an unapproved VPN, especially to "break through the wall" and access blocked foreign websites or services, this is considered illegal;
- However, a compliant VPN that has been approved and filed can be used within legal boundaries, primarily for internal corporate communication or cross-border data transmission.
So, what is a "compliant VPN"?
- Specific Operator Authorization: Only basic telecommunications operators authorized by the Chinese government are allowed to legally provide VPN services;
- Internal Corporate Use: Compliant VPNs are generally limited to internal corporate networks. Companies must apply and file through legal channels, and cannot open them to the public.
Currently, a few operators, such as China Unicom and China Telecom, can provide compliant network channels and dedicated bandwidth for registered companies to access foreign websites or transfer data across borders.In certain AI development parks in China, partnerships have been established with operators to provide compliant network transmission environments for businesses. Therefore, you need not worry about the compliance issues when using a VPN, as these collaborations ensure legal support for cross-border data transmission and external network access.
Conclusion
China’s AI+ journey has moved from vision to blueprint: policy clarity, dense networks and compute, vast real-world scenarios, and a deep talent bench. Pair these national advantages with an integrated park solution—compute + network with enforceable SLAs and DR—and you have a practical shortest path from R&D → pilot → scaled deployment. For global teams planning to serve China and the world, now is the time to align product roadmaps with the 2027/2030/2035 milestones and turn policy tailwinds into measurable business outcomes.
1
