#China #Xi'an #Silk Road #Digital Economy #Xi'an Digital Expo

The Western Digital Economy Expo in Xi'an

The 7th Western Digital Economy Expo (WDEE Expo) took place recently in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, concluding successfully on June 28, 2026. Under the theme "Digital Convergence Revitalizes the Silk Road, Smart Innovation Shapes the Future of the West", the expo served as a pivotal platform for showcasing industrial integration and promoting digital capabilities among participating nations.

This year’s event saw a significant turnout, welcoming delegations from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, and representatives from over 30 Chinese cities alongside 119 leading enterprises engaged in the digital economy. One of the standout achievements from the expo was the signing of 34 key projects, setting a record in the history of the event.

The WDEE Expo featured a new segment dedicated to the “Global Expansion of Digital Economy Enterprises”, which demonstrated Xi'an's transformation from a traditional industrial hub to an active exporter of digital capabilities. Notably, the launch of the "White Paper on Cross-Border Data Flow and Operations Along the Silk Road" provided practical guidance for standardized digital trade among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, the signing of the "GEO Industry Standards Self-Regulation Agreement" further established a framework for the development of cross-border digital enterprises, nurturing a regulatory foundation for growth.

As a key player in the digital economy landscape of west China, Xi'an is ramping up efforts to build an open and shared digital ecosystem. In 2025, key industries within this economy surpassed designated targets, reaching 129 billion yuan, which accounted for 9.28% of the city’s GDP. The local infrastructure has been bolstered through five new initiatives focusing on networks, cloud computing, data management, security, and more, aimed at enhancing collaboration between the government and enterprises as well as improving public services.

Xi'an supports digital growth by adopting a scenario-based openness approach, releasing 303 application requirements across various sectors, including smart tourism, extended reality (XR), and renewable energy. The city has also established technology centers specializing in open-source chip technology, artificial intelligence algorithms, and industrial software, thus creating a comprehensive industrial chain from research and development to large-scale deployment.

The business ecosystem in Xi'an has gained significant strength through the establishment of strategic networks, inter-institutional collaborative agreements, and innovation funds. This environment has attracted industry leaders such as Huawei and JD.com, while also empowering specialized SMEs to flourish. Consequently, Xi'an fosters a balanced landscape where businesses of all sizes can thrive side by side.

As Xi'an works toward its vision of becoming a hub for digital technology innovation, it aims to be a launchpad for cutting-edge digital products and applications, as well as a thriving ecosystem for the integrated growth of digital enterprises. The city is inviting partners from across the global value chain in big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to join as its "City Partners".

With a clear focus on collaboration and innovation, Xi'an is poised to emerge as a beacon for the digital economy, energizing the Silk Road with a new wave of technological advancement and industrial integration that could shape the future of this historic trade route.