The article describes computing power as a core strategic factor of production in the digital economy and an important foundation for developing new quality productive forces. It cites instructions given by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during an inspection of the green computing industry in Ulanqab: to deepen the integration of the digital and real economies and continually turn computing strengths into development strengths. The article says the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan includes computing power networks in China’s major infrastructure framework of “six networks” and calls for computing capacity to develop at scale, through more intensive resource use, and in a greener and more inclusive way. This, it says, sets the direction for high-quality development of China’s computing industry and deeper participation in digital economy cooperation across Asia-Pacific and globally.

Asia-Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing computing power market

The article argues that opportunities and challenges coexist in the global computing power market. Citing market research firm Grand View Research, it puts the global data center market at USD 383.82 billion in 2025. Artificial intelligence is driving a sustained surge in demand for computing power, it says, citing NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s prediction that AI will open up a trillion-dollar-scale market in the future.

According to the article, Asia-Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing computing power market, with regional demand reaching 14.8 ZFLOPS in 2026 and growth as high as 67%, far outpacing Europe and the United States. Manufacturing upgrades, smart cities, digital trade and AI applications are creating vast essential demand for computing services, it says. At the same time, uneven development of computing infrastructure, rules and standards across the region, fragmented rules for computing power transactions and digital trade, and a pronounced digital divide mean that the market’s potential has yet to be fully realized.

“Results depend on human effort; the key is to take the initiative,” the article says. By pooling resources through multilateral platforms and connecting technology, standards, capital and applications across the entire chain, it argues, the enormous potential market can be turned into a tangible driver of development.

A coordinated framework of “one committee, one institute and four centers”

According to the article, APTA CCI is actively taking on work to formulate international digital trade standards and rules and build the associated systems in Asia-Pacific. Drawing on China’s computing industry experience, it is developing cooperation plans for the region’s digital economy and AI industries. The chamber plans to expand computing industry cooperation through its multilateral platforms in fields including climate change, digital logistics, agricultural technology, minerals and energy, emergency rescue, international standards, motor vehicles and pilot zones for intangible cultural heritage. It will connect leading Chinese computing companies and top researchers and prepare to establish an Asia-Pacific Digital Economy Committee and an Asia-Pacific Institute for Digital Economy and Computing Power. It will also develop an Asia-Pacific Computing Power Application Center, a Computing Power Promotion Center, a Green Computing Power Center and a Computing Power Finance Center, creating a coordinated framework of “one committee, one institute and four centers”.

The article proposes that the platform focus on three areas of work:

First, jointly developing regional standards for computing power and digital trade in Asia-Pacific, bridging institutional differences across the region and exploring rules for cross-border computing services and compliant data flows;

Second, building an Asia-Pacific international think tank through the institute to conduct computing industry policy research, tackle technological challenges and train talent, while developing practical solutions for green computing and coordination between computing power and electricity supply;

Third, attracting capital from international financial groups around the world, expanding investment and financing channels for computing power and connecting computing research and development, practical applications, market transactions and financial services into a complete cycle. This would help bring China’s advanced computing technologies and services to Asia-Pacific countries while also bringing in advanced technologies and capital from outside the region.

“When computing power thrives, the digital economy thrives; when Asia-Pacific is vibrant, the world is vibrant,” the article concludes. It says that taking advantage of digital economy opportunities under the 15th Five-Year Plan and using multilateral international platforms to connect computing technology innovation, standard-setting, market expansion and capital support would serve China’s broader effort to build an integrated computing power network. It would also help Asia-Pacific bridge the digital divide, unlock digital economy benefits on a scale of trillions and contribute to an open and prosperous Asia-Pacific digital community.

According to the introduction, APTA CCI is a regional multilateral international organization approved at the 50th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and established by a ministerial declaration of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) Ministerial Council. Its founding members are chambers of commerce and industry from seven countries, with participation by chambers from more than 70 eligible countries across Asia-Pacific.

Source: Asia-Pacific International Think Tank (author: Wang Yanguo)