(Handout via Xinhua Daily)

The 11th Jiangsu Internet Conference opened in Nanjing on October 31.

A report on the development of Jiangsu’s information and communication industry was released during the opening ceremony. The conference also featured sub-forums on topics including artificial intelligence computing power, rural industry revitalization, cybersecurity and data protection.

In recent years, Jiangsu has seen sustained growth of digital economy, with improved governance capabilities and enhanced public access to digital services. Digital technologies have become a vibrant driver of the province's economic and social development.

Last year, the added value of the digital economy’s core industries reached 1.45 trillion yuan in the coastal province, accounting for 11.4% of the provincial GDP. Among the accomplishments, Jiangsu ranked first nationwide in the number of areas selected for the second cohort of pilot rural digitalization initiative, and the Jiangsu Smart Education Platform surpassed 12.5 billion views, also ranking first nationwide.