China’s 10G Optical Networks Accelerate Smart Manufacturing Transformation
China is accelerating its smart manufacturing transformation through the deployment of next-generation 10G optical networks, with traditional operational models being replaced by full-process digitalization across industrial sectors, according to CCTV News. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reports that gigabit optical network applications now cover over 90% of the national economy’s major categories, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push to build a manufacturing and network superpower.
From Gigabit to 10G: Building the Digital Foundation
Gigabit and 10G optical networks form the foundational infrastructure for China’s new generation communication network, supporting the development of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data technologies. According to Zhao Ce, Deputy Director of MIIT’s Information and Communication Development Department, gigabit optical networks are accelerating integration with AI and related technologies, covering 91 of the 97 major categories of China’s national economy and forming replicable solutions in smart manufacturing, smart transportation, digital healthcare, and smart education.
China has achieved “gigabit in every county” and “broadband in every village,” with over 50,000 typical gigabit optical network application cases. As of the end of June 2026, the country had 32.86 million 10G Passive Optical Network (PON) ports with gigabit network service capability, and more than 70 computing power corridors have been built around national computing hub nodes.
The “15th Five-Year Plan” (2026-2030) explicitly calls for deepening gigabit optical network deployment and advancing 10G optical network construction. The plan also includes a specific goal of building 1 million high-speed passive optical network (50G PON) ports, signaling a clear national commitment to next-generation connectivity.
136 Pilot Projects Validate 10G Network Technology
China launched its 10G optical network pilot program in January 2025, becoming the first country to conduct such a large-scale deployment. The MIIT published the completion notice on April 14, 2026, confirming that 136 of the 168 initially shortlisted projects successfully completed their pilot tasks—an over 80% completion rate.
The pilot projects span 30 provinces and 86 cities, covering 52 10G community pilots, 48 10G factory pilots, and 46 10G park pilots. These projects have cultivated applications including cloud computers, cloud gaming, industrial optical quality inspection, AI-powered ultra-HD video surveillance, model training and inference, and integrated sensing and communication.
According to C114 Communications Network, the successful completion of these pilots marks a critical transition from “policy orientation” to “industrial implementation,” validating the technical maturity and commercial viability of 10G optical networks.
Real-World Impact: Chongqing and Sichuan Lead the Way
Chongqing has emerged as a leader in 10G optical network deployment, with five pilot projects covering all types—parks, factories, and communities. The city’s Fuling district hosts one of the first batch of MIIT 10G optical network pilot projects: a chemical enterprise using 10G network combined with AI algorithms for intelligent monitoring and alarm systems. The system provides real-time electronic fence alerts, intelligent identification of improper operations, and stranger intrusion warnings, transmitting alerts at millisecond speeds while streaming 8K HD surveillance video.
Teng Zhi, Party Secretary of the Chongqing Fuling District Big Data Application Development Management Bureau, confirmed that the city now covers all 10G pilot types, as reported by Chongqing News Network.
The Sichuan Chongzhou Economic Development Zone has become China’s first home furnishing industry 10G park, achieving full digital integration of the home furnishing industry chain from production to sales. Pan Yujie, General Manager of Sichuan Tianfu Meihaijia Co., Ltd., noted that since connecting to the 10G network, 100% of production equipment is networked, enabling AI quality inspection and predictive equipment maintenance. Overall production efficiency has stably improved by more than 30% compared to before the transformation.
Ren Xianbo, Deputy Director of the Sichuan Chongzhou Economic Development Zone Management Committee, stated that the 10G network now stably covers 145 enterprises across the park’s three major pillar industries. In the park’s production workshops, traditional manual processes of reading blueprints, locating tools, and aligning holes have been fully replaced by digital workflows.
AI and 10G Networks: A Symbiotic Relationship
Li Shaohui, Director of Broadband Technology and Business at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), emphasized the growing synergy between 10G optical networks and AI. “The integration of 10G optical networks and AI has become an important technological development trend,” Li said. “10G optical networks provide intelligent computing power transmission lines for AI, supporting high-quality AI training and inference, while AI simultaneously enhances the intelligence level of 10G optical networks.”
This convergence has already produced applications in cloud computing, industrial optical quality inspection, integrated sensing and communication, and model training and inference. Jiangsu province had 13 pilot projects pass acceptance, including 4 10G factory pilots and 8 10G park pilots, tying with Hubei for first place nationally, as reported by Jiangsu News.
The Road Ahead: From Pilot to Scale
Industry experts anticipate that during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, China will achieve comprehensive gigabit network upgrades, with key cities completing full 10G network deployment. The MIIT will focus on breakthrough applications in key scenarios, continuing 10G optical network pilots and building industrial clusters for 10G network deployment.
According to Guangming Daily, the pilot program was designed to drive industry-wide collaboration in solving key technical challenges, accelerating breakthroughs in core technologies and critical equipment. The Liaoning Communications Administration has reported that pilot projects have successfully addressed broadband speed bottlenecks and multi-mode coexistence challenges, enabling smooth upgrades from existing G-PON/10G-PON networks to 50G-PON.
As China moves from “dual gigabit” (5G + gigabit fiber) to “dual 10G” (5G-A + 10G fiber) networks, the integration of ultra-fast connectivity with AI capabilities positions the country at the forefront of global digital infrastructure development. The transition from 136 pilot projects to nationwide deployment represents not just a technological upgrade, but a fundamental reshaping of how Chinese manufacturing operates in the digital age.