Four departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Cyberspace Administration of China, have issued a guideline for high-quality development of Internet fundamental resources.

Centering on core resources such as IP addresses, domain names, autonomous system numbers and network identifiers, the document lays out 16 key tasks covering six major areas. It aims to bolster high-quality development of China's Internet fundamental resources and support building a cyber power and "Digital China."

Boosting fundamental innovation capacity

The document sets four targeted measures:

First, basic theoretical research will be strengthened. Leveraging emerging technologies including AI, quantum communication and blockchain, systematic research will be conducted on core operational mechanisms and underlying architectures.

Second, breakthroughs will be achieved in core and key technologies. Supported by national key R&D programs, technical bottlenecks in high-performance IPv6 transmission, mega-constellation networking for satellite Internet, and resource public key infrastructure will be tackled.

Third, innovation platforms will be improved. Fundamental and forward-looking research and experimental trials will be scaled up to produce more original innovative achievements.

Finally, the standard system will be refined and national standards better aligned with international ones.

Upgrading digital infrastructure

Both the optimization of existing infrastructure and the layout of new facilities will be advanced.

On one hand,traditional infrastructure will be upgraded.Resolution nodes for the".CN"country-code top-level domain will be expanded and the transition to full IPv6 single-stack operation promoted.

On the other hand, new-type infrastructure will be explored and developed. Efforts will be intensified to improve supporting planning for satellite Internet and accelerate the integration of industrial Internet identifiers and the domain name system.

Protecting the security bottom line

A fundamental resource security guarantee initiative will be implemented to shore up defenses in four key dimensions:

•Ensuring supply security through coordinated planning and rational allocation of IPv6 address resources;

•Securing operational stability by formulating full-process classified and tiered security specifications and strengthening operational assurance for the".CN"domain name;

•Enhancing risk monitoring by establishing an AI-and big data-powered cross-departmental collaborative monitoring mechanism to identify and defuse potential risks;

•Improving emergency response capabilities by optimizing tiered emergency plans and conducting regular practical drills.

By strengthening support for network, Internet of Things connectivity, data connectivity and intelligent connectivity, nationwide addressing and switching capabilities will be optimized and large-scale industrial application of AI facilitated.

The guideline also clarifies arrangements for enhanced international communication, coordination and global governance participation. China will engage in affairs of international bodies, advance the formulation of international standards, and promote the development of international organizations for emerging digital sectors.