Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has built 10,490 5G base stations to date, amid efforts to accelerate the upgrade of its digital infrastructure, local authorities said on Aug 13.

In the first half of 2021, the region has invested more than 1 billion yuan (about $154 million) to accelerate the construction and development of its 5G infrastructure and facilities.

By the end of this year, all the main urban areas of Xinjiang’s prefecture-level cities, all its counties and major scenic spots are expected to be covered by the network, said the regional communications administration.

China has taken a global lead in 5G development and completed the construction of the world’s largest 5G standalone network, with some 961,000 5G base stations built as of July 18.

China leads the world in 5G base stations Xinjiang 5g

China has taken a global lead in the development of 5G, with a total of 819,000 5G base stations built so far, accounting for over 70 percent of the world’s total, a government official said in Guiyang on May 26.

Liu Liehong, vice-minister of industry and information technology, released the figures at the ongoing China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021 in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China’s Guizhou province.

The number of 5G terminal connections in China has exceeded 310 million, accounting for more than 80 percent of the world’s total, according to Liu.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China built the world’s largest optical-fiber and 4G network, with over 99 percent of the villages across the country connected to both technologies.

The three-day big-data industry expo, showcasing cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations and achievements, kicked off on May 26. It has attracted 225 enterprises from home and abroad, according to the organizing committee.