The 2024 edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai has just concluded, attracting a lot of attention from tech leaders in China as well as internationally. As a leading B2B tech communication agency, the Influence Matters team was on the ground to observe the key trends and developments shaping China’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Our on-site experts witnessed first-hand the scale and pace of China’s technological transformation, from the rollout of ubiquitous 5G networks to the application of cutting-edge AI systems across industries. The insights from MWC Shanghai provide invaluable intelligence for international B2B players seeking to navigate and capitalize on opportunities in China.
It’s important to note the amount of international visitors that came to the show this year, establishing MWC as the most important platform for global technology professionals to meet with Chinese counterparts. Since the disappearance of CES Asia (which also took place in Shanghai before COVID pushed organizers to exit China), the tech ecosystem was looking for a solid annual platform to meet, unencumbered by government organizers. GSMA are mostly succeeding with MWC Shanghai. Exhibitors from the US and Europe were meeting visitors from Belt and Road countries, surrounded by the Chinese ecosystem players.
MWC Shanghai 2024 attracted nearly 40,000 attendees from 124 countries and regions – a new record for the event. GSMA’s CEO, John Hoffman, remarked, “MWC Shanghai is a truly forward-looking event, allowing attendees to deeply explore the innovative connectivity technologies that will shape the world.” This year’s edition witnessed a significant increase in international participation, reflecting the industry’s robust recovery on a global scale.
Insights for B2B Communication: MWC Shanghai has established itself as one of the premier platforms in Asia for showcasing industry innovations, announcing collaborations, and unveiling groundbreaking achievements. China’s technology landscape has become increasingly open and welcoming to international participation. Leverage industry events like MWC Shanghai to establish a strong brand presence, showcase cutting-edge innovations and forge strategic partnerships with local players.
Influence Matters team to support our client at MWC
GSMA projections indicate that China’s 5G connections will reach 1 billion by the end of 2024 and grow to 16 billion by 2030, accounting for nearly a third of the global total. Shanghai is at the forefront of this 5G revolution, with the city actively pushing to develop 5G-enabled Smart Cities. In partnership with Huawei, China Telecom has spearheaded the creation of 5G-A pilot projects, transforming Shanghai into a shining example of a 5G-enabled metropolis. 5G has enabled widespread adoption of use cases like autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, industrial automation, and enhanced mobile broadband. China’s massive 5G rollout has solidified its position as a global technology leader and laid the groundwork for further advancements in areas like the Internet of Things and smart city development.
China Unicom at MWC Shanghai
Insights for B2B Communication: As the world’s largest 5G market, China presents a dynamic and lucrative opportunity for international tech companies. The challenge lies in effectively monetizing 5G and driving value across the entire industry and society. By leveraging China’s 5G momentum, global players can establish meaningful collaborations and co-create innovative solutions that cater to the country’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The 2024 MWC Shanghai event was abuzz with the theme of “Artificial Intelligence.” From AI-powered art creation and intelligent image generation to robotic baristas and autonomous vehicles, exhibitors showcased their latest advancements in the AI domain. Keynote speakers and panel discussions delved deep into the convergence of 5G, AI, and smart manufacturing.
Lenovo at MWC Shanghai
China Unicom has accelerated efforts to drive “AI for 5G” initiatives, fostering innovation in 5G-enabled Smart Cities and space-ground integration technologies. Furthermore, they are strengthening “5G for AI” capabilities, aiming to enable ubiquitous intelligence, iterating on “5G+IoT” technologies, and delivering intelligent data sensing, connectivity, and decision-making across various scenarios.
Insights for B2B Communication: The convergence of 5G, AI, and smart manufacturing is transforming China’s digital landscape. International tech companies should actively engage with Chinese counterparts to co-develop industry-specific AI models, enabling the intelligent transformation of diverse sectors and creating new avenues for growth. The pace of technological change in China is rapid and relentless. International tech companies must remain agile, adaptable, and responsive to the evolving market trends and customer preferences, continuously refining their strategies and solutions to maintain a competitive edge.
Sources:
https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1802719688554626844&wfr=spider&for=pc
