China's technological progress opens opportunities for digital economic transformation

Kairo (ANTARA) - The rapid progress of China in the field of science and technology presents new opportunities for developing economies to drive digital transformation, strengthen research capacity, and accelerate sustainable development, according to an Egyptian expert. “China has truly become an important pillar of global innovation today. Most serious scientific research currently comes from China, especially in the field of smart technology and the application of artificial intelligence (AI),” Abdel-Wahab Ghoneim, vice chairman of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Ghoneim, who is also a digital transformation consultant for the Egyptian government, said that China’s technological progress is driven by three factors: “linking scientific research with industry; expanding advanced technologies such as AI, computing, and chips; and having a state system that supports research, manufacturing, and investment.” According to the expert, these measures, along with the strengthening of technology education, legislative updates, and administrative simplification, provide practical lessons for developing countries, including Egypt. Earlier this month, China announced the recipients of the 2025 State Science and Technology Awards in Beijing, honouring 258 projects and 11 science and technology experts. One of the award recipients was Chen Liquan, a leading Chinese expert in lithium battery technology, who Ghoneim said plays an important role in the future of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. “Awarding a lithium battery expert sends a very important message,” he said, adding that batteries are now the backbone of sustainable development, playing a crucial role in addressing energy storage challenges in the solar power, wind power, and EV sectors. China’s EV sector has evolved from merely catching up to becoming a global leader, offering a cooperation model for Egypt in semiconductors, solar panels, wind turbines, and other advanced industries, especially given Egypt’s abundant reserves of high-purity silica sand and mineral-rich black sand, raw materials crucial for advanced manufacturing industries. “It is important to attract Chinese companies that produce electronic chips and operate in other advanced industries to establish factories in Egypt, while offering them the best incentives,” he added. Ghoneim also highlighted the existing cooperation between Egypt and China, including the Government Cloud Computing and Data Centre, Huawei’s collaboration in developing 5G technology in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. “These are major projects that reflect Egypt’s confidence in Chinese technology,” he said. At the World AI Conference (WAIC) 2026, held in July in Shanghai, China, the launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was announced, along with a commitment to provide 5,000 opportunities for AI training programmes and seminars for developing countries over the next five years. Ghoneim said these efforts reflect China’s growing role as a partner for developing countries seeking to build their own technological futures. “China is cooperating with developing countries on a development path based on the principle of mutual benefit,” he said.