The Secret Behind 306 Green Computing Facilities: How China Dominates 60 Percent of Global AI Patents
China is strengthening its position as a major force in global artificial intelligence (AI) development. The country is now recorded as the largest holder of AI patents in the world, with a contribution of around 60 percent of the total global patents.
This data was revealed in the 2025 China Digital Development Report, released by China’s National Data Administration at the main forum of the 9th China Digital Summit in Fujian Province on Wednesday.
The report also shows that the value-added of China’s core digital economy industry has now exceeded 10.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Meanwhile, the core AI industry has reached a scale of more than 1.2 trillion yuan, or approximately $174.9 billion.
Additionally, China’s Digital Development Index is recorded at 170.1 in 2025, an increase of 12.99 percent compared to the previous year. This increase is driven by the acceleration of digital regulations, the expansion of AI infrastructure, and the development of data utilisation scenarios in various sectors.
Digital technology in China is now increasingly integrated with various fields, from the economy and government to social and environmental sectors. The report notes that China has built more than 110,000 high-quality data pools covering health, industry, and education sectors.
On the other hand, infrastructure strengthening is evident from the construction of 306 national green computing facilities that support sustainable data-based technology development.
Deputy Director of China’s National Data Administration, Yu Ying, emphasised that digital technology will be the main driver of industrial transformation in the future.
“Digital engines will play a greater role in driving industrial upgrades,” she said.
She added that her agency, together with China’s National Development and Reform Commission, will continue to strengthen cross-sector collaborations to accelerate the development of Digital China and create a new engine for high-quality economic growth.