The Information Innovation Industry: The Cornerstone of National Security in the Digital Age
I. Definition and Core Mission
The information technology application innovation industry (ITAI) is a strategic industry that aims to achieve full domestic substitution of the information technology industrial chain through independent innovation. It covers basic software and hardware such as chips, operating systems, and databases, with the goal of building an IT infrastructure that is not subject to external control. Its core mission is to solve the long-standing problem of “lacking chips and souls” in China’s information technology sector (“soul” refers to operating systems), and to ensure data sovereignty and cyber security.
二II. Development History: From Catching Up to Surpassing
Germination Period (1986 – 2013)
- In 1986, the “863 Program” initiated domestic technology research and development. In 2006, the “High-Tech Research and Development Program for Nuclear and Information” focused on chips and basic software.
- In 2010, the “IOE Elimination” campaign was launched (aiming to reduce reliance on IBM, Oracle, and EMC)
Eruption period (2018 to present)
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- In 2018, the Sino-US trade friction accelerated domestic substitution. In 2020, the establishment of the financial information innovation laboratory marked the start of large-scale application.
- In 2018, the Sino-US trade friction accelerated domestic substitution. In 2020, the establishment of the Financial Information Innovation Laboratory marked the start of large-scale application. By 2025, the policy requires that the domesticization rate in key industries exceed 70%.
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III. Comprehensive Overview of the Industrial Chain
IV. Breakthrough Directions in 2025
- Technical breakthrough:Domesticization of 14nm and below chip manufacturing processes and industrial simulation software (CAE/EDA)
- Ecological integration:The integration of informatization innovation and AI is accelerating its implementation. For instance, Huawei’s Ascend chips support the training of large models.
- Industry penetration:The target for database substitution in the financial and medical sectors has been raised to 50%.
V. Challenges and Opportunities
- Challenge:There is a shortage of high-level talents reaching the scale of one million. Moreover, the cost of ecological adaptation in some fields is high.
- Opportunity:The global information technology innovation market is expected to exceed one trillion yuan by 2027, and China will become the largest growth market.
Epilogue
The information technology innovation industry is not merely a technological substitution; it is also a systematic project for reconfiguring global IT discourse power. As the concept of “self-reliance and controllability” evolves into “innovation-driven”, China is leveraging information technology innovation as a fulcrum to seize the strategic initiative in the digital era.