China’s Major Push to Lower Computing Power Barriers for SMEs by 2028

• Reach 10 out of 15 administrative categories for SMEs
• Establish specialized computing resource pools
• Implement pay-per-use billing (Card-Hours, Core-Hours)
• Deploy inclusive computing power empowerment centers

The General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (Gongye he Xinxi huabu 工业和信息化部) just dropped a major initiative.

They’re launching a special action plan to give Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) access to inclusive computing power.

By the end of 2028, China is betting big on creating a comprehensive computing service ecosystem that’s actually affordable for SMEs to use.

---

What This Really Means for SMEs

Here’s the core challenge: most SMEs struggle to afford and implement computing resources.

They lack the infrastructure, the expertise, and the budget to compete with larger enterprises.

This new plan is designed to flip the script.

By 2028, the goal is to establish a service system that’s characterized by:

• Wide coverage — reaching no fewer than 10 out of the 15 administrative categories applicable to SMEs
• Low cost — dramatically reducing the financial barrier to entry
• High-quality service — ensuring SMEs get reliable, enterprise-grade support
• A vibrant ecosystem — fostering collaboration and innovation across the sector
• Strong talent resources — developing skilled professionals to support SME growth

The bottom line?

SMEs won’t need massive capital expenditures just to access computing power anymore.

---

The Focus: “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” Enterprises

This initiative has a specific target audience: “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” (Zhuanjingtexin 专精特新) SMEs.

These are companies that operate in niche markets, have deep expertise, and focus on innovation rather than scale.

By lowering computing power barriers, the government is essentially saying: “We want to help these innovative SMEs compete globally.”

---

The Five-Part Strategy to Make It Happen

1. Computing Resource Configuration Enhancement

The plan starts with infrastructure.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Edge Data Centers (Shuju Zhongxin 数据中心) Near SME Clusters: Basic telecommunications and computing service companies are being guided to deploy data centers closer to where SMEs actually operate. This reduces latency and improves accessibility.
• Exclusive Computing Power Pools: The goal is to create dedicated computing resources for SMEs with unified interface protocols, making integration seamless.
• Advanced Storage Centers: These will provide massive data (Hailiang Shuju 海量数据) resource pools and high-performance cross-domain Artificial Intelligence (Rengong Zhineng 人工智能) data platforms.
• “1-Millisecond Latency Circle” Expansion: Metropolitan areas are expanding this ultra-low latency zone. Telecom operators are also launching customized “computing-network integration” packages for industrial parks.

Translation: The infrastructure is being rebuilt to serve SMEs better, not just large enterprises.

2. Inclusive Supply of Computing Services

This is where things get creative.

The plan introduces several new service models:

• Flexible Billing Models: Instead of traditional fixed contracts, SMEs can pay for computing power using “Card-Hours,” “Core-Hours,” or Token-based systems. This means paying for exactly what you use, when you use it.
• “Computing Power Banks” & “Computing Power Supermarkets” (Chaoshi 超市): SMEs can deposit idle computing resources and withdraw them when needed. It’s like a resource-sharing marketplace.
• “Computing Power Vouchers”: Local governments will provide vouchers to eligible SMEs, subsidizing their computing power access.
• Standardized, Low-Code Products: New software solutions are being developed that don’t require deep technical expertise to implement.
• Free Computing Quotas via “AtomGit”: The national Artificial Intelligence open-source community is providing free computing resources to help SMEs experiment.
• “Inclusive Computing Power Empowerment Centers”: Key clusters will have physical centers offering face-to-face technical consulting and AI application service chains.

This is about removing friction from the adoption process.

3. Empowerment of Key Industry Enterprises

Different industries have different needs.

The plan tailors computing solutions for four major sectors:

• Manufacturing: Focus on R&D design, production, and supply chain management with low-cost, lightweight, and “green” computing solutions.
• Education (Jiaoyu 教育): “Computing Power Education Packages” help SMEs develop adaptive technical products for schools and training institutions.
• Agriculture: Computing power extends to rural areas, enabling Smart Agriculture (Zhihui Nongye 智慧农业) solutions like remote sensing analysis and intelligent irrigation.
• Finance: SMEs get support in risk control, credit evaluation, and regulatory compliance, with Data Security (Shuju Anquan 数据安全) ensured through localized deployment where necessary.

Each sector gets custom solutions, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

4. Collaborative Ecosystem Building

The innovation doesn’t happen in isolation.

The plan encourages ecosystem collaboration through:

• Technical Salons & Supply-Demand Matchmaking: Events and platforms that help SMEs integrate into hardware and software supplier industry chains.
• University & Research Institute Partnerships: Universities and research institutes open their computing resources and data interfaces to SMEs, dramatically reducing R&D costs.
• “1+N” Pairing Mechanism: Large enterprises pair with multiple SMEs to share operational, maintenance, and cost control expertise.

This creates a multiplier effect where knowledge and resources flow from larger players to SMEs.

5. Talent Development and Capability Building

Computing power alone isn’t enough—people need the skills to use it.

The plan invests in:

• Premium Training Courses: Developed for SME managers (focusing on strategic cognition) and technical teams (focusing on smart operation & maintenance).
• International Cooperation Platforms: Initiatives like the “China-ASEAN AI Industry Innovation Center” promote international exchange and joint talent training.

It’s a complete ecosystem play—not just infrastructure, but people and knowledge too.

---

The Timeline: Everything Happens by 2028

This isn’t a vague vision—there’s an actual deadline.

By the end of 2028, the system needs to be fully operational.

That means:

• Coverage of at least 10 out of 15 SME administrative categories
• A fully functional inclusive computing service system
• Significantly lower barriers for SMEs to access and utilize computing resources
• A thriving ecosystem supporting “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” enterprises

---

Who’s Behind This?

The execution involves multiple stakeholders:

• Industry and Information Technology departments across all provinces
• Communications Administration Bureaus (Tongxin Guanliju 通信管理局)
• Major telecom providers: China Telecom (Zhongguo Dianxin 中国电信), China Mobile (Zhongguo Yidong 中国移动), China Unicom (Zhongguo Lianhe Wangluo Tongxin 中国联合网络通信), and China Broadnet (Zhongguo Guangbo Dianshi Wangluo 中国广播电视网络)
• China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (Zhongguo Xinxi Tongxin Yanjiuyuan 中国信息通信研究院)
• Relevant computing service providers and ecosystem partners

This is a coordinated national effort, not a half-hearted initiative.

---

Why This Matters Right Now

SMEs are the backbone of China’s economy, but they’ve been disadvantaged in the AI and computing power race.

Large tech companies have massive internal computing infrastructure.

Startups can raise venture capital to build it.

But mid-market SMEs?

They’re stuck in the middle, unable to compete.

This plan directly addresses that gap.

By making computing power accessible, affordable, and easy to use, the government is leveling the playing field for innovation.

That’s a big deal for the tech ecosystem, for founders, and for investors looking for the next wave of competitive advantage.

---

The Bottom Line on Computing Power Access for SMEs

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is making a serious bet on inclusive computing power.

By 2028, the barriers that currently prevent SMEs from accessing and implementing computing resources should be significantly lower.

Expect to see more innovation in flexible billing models, computing resource sharing, and localized support infrastructure.

The real question isn’t if this happens—it’s which SMEs will be best positioned to leverage it.

For investors and founders, this signals a major shift: the next wave of competitive advantage in computing power won’t just belong to tech giants.

---

References

• MIIT: Significantly Lowering the Threshold for SMEs to Obtain and Use Computing Power by the End of 2028 – Jiemian News
• Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China Official Website – MIIT
• Research on the High-Quality Development of Computing Power Infrastructure – China Academy of Information and Communications Technology