Amid rapid modernisation, major Chinese cities are confronting widening digital disparities. And in Changsha, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is stirring concern across generations.
To address the growing digital transformation, China has launched a national plan to enhance digital literacy and skills by 2025, aiming to strengthen its digital workforce and economy.
Its state agencies are developing systems to cultivate digital talent, expand the digital economy, and build a more inclusive digital society — with the potential to create cross-border digital opportunities with other countries in the region, including Thailand.
Bridging digital borders
China has also initiated a positive cycle of digital economic development to help bridge the global digital divide with Thailand, establishing collaborations in education, e-commerce, fintech, and cloud-based ecosystems.
The initiatives outlined in the partnership focus on several key areas. These include joint programmes and digital skills training aimed at Thai students and professionals, enabling them to engage with China’s emerging tech ecosystem.
Additionally, the partnership seeks to facilitate cross-border e-commerce, allowing Thai SMEs to reach Chinese consumers. Another aspect of the collaboration is the exploration of fintech partnerships, particularly in mobile payment integration.
Furthermore, the two countries are developing smart cities and cloud-powered logistics projects to strengthen their digital economies and enhance connectivity.
Despite China’s international outreach, domestically it is facing the pressing issue of a growing digital divide.
Under socialist governance, equal access to training in new technologies has been prioritised through labour “retraining” schemes and “vocational skills improvement” initiatives. These offer free or subsidised programmes in intelligent manufacturing, the industrial internet, and other emerging fields, helping workers transition smoothly and avoid structural unemployment.
Similar programmes are offered in Changsha.
“The city promotes ‘order-based’ talent training through close university-enterprise cooperation, ensuring that students’ skills align seamlessly with market needs — enabling employment upon graduation,” according to a statement released by Changsha Municipal People’s Government.
The private sector has also become a vital force in Changsha’s digital transformation. Companies are driving the adoption of AI, robotics, and smart education technologies through a national high-tech enterprise network. These initiatives now reach more than 20 provinces and over 100 universities across China.
While uncertainties about the future remain, Yijia Zhang, a 22-year-old master’s student in English Interpretation at Hunan University and a tour guide intern, believes AI, when applied responsibly, can help redefine professional boundaries.
Changsha’s AI rise
For non-Chinese speakers, navigating Changsha’s cultural and historical landmarks — or even daily life such as shopping — can be challenging. Yet with a growing number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates, English majors like Ms Yijia play an essential role in enhancing the city’s global appeal for both tourism and investment.
As part of a generation that has witnessed China’s evolving governance, Ms Yijia expressed deep admiration for the country’s socialist philosophy.
“I think the CPC has done a great job transforming China from a traditional country into a modern and advanced one in a short time. I love my country and am happy living here. I plan to stay in China for my whole life.”
Despite her patriotic views, she acknowledges some limitations shared by many of her peers.
“It’s a bit inconvenient that we can’t access some foreign apps like Facebook and YouTube. This restriction might be due to ideological reasons or concerns about offensive opinions from other countries,” she added.
China maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive systems for managing online information. Access to many Western news websites and social media platforms — including Google, Wikipedia, and Meta — is restricted on the mainland.
Within what is often called the “Great Firewall”, online content is regulated through government oversight and private-sector compliance with national laws. These measures ensure that digital information aligns with domestic regulations and public communication standards, particularly on sensitive topics.
Changsha continues to attract students and young professionals drawn by affordable housing and its deep-rooted academic tradition. The thousand-year-old Yuelu Academy, now Hunan University, has been a cornerstone of Chinese scholarship since 976 AD.
It was here that Mao Zedong studied and lived before joining the Chinese Communist Party in the 1920s. Renamed in 1903, the university maintains active partnerships with leading global institutions including Harvard, Cornell, Hamburg, Heidelberg, the University of London, and the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris.
Among other social groups, senior citizens are among the most affected by China’s digital transition.
“It is difficult for elderly people like my grandmother to adapt because they are not familiar with electronic devices, which can make them feel lonely,” said Ms Yijia, who is originally from Jiangxi Province.
The demographic challenge is particularly significant across Asia. Thailand is now an aged society, with more than 20% of its population aged 60 or older. In China, those aged 65 and above already account for around 15% of the population — over 366 million people. By 2035, that figure in China is projected to surpass 400 million, or more than 30% of the total.
This demographic shift highlights a growing digital divide among older citizens who often struggle with digital banking, online government services, or health apps. While senior internet users are expected to reach 161 million by mid-2025, or about half of the age group, many still find it difficult to fully integrate into the digital era.
In response, Changsha has rolled out social support programmes that promote community connection, health education, and volunteer activities to prevent social isolation among the elderly.
Inclusive digital progress
On the healthcare front, Changsha is pioneering digital innovation with China’s first large-model reasoning chain for traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics. This system supports early screening for conditions such as stroke and cognitive impairment.
The city’s “Smart Medical Brain” further helps alleviate the strain of an ageing population and healthcare shortages, particularly in rural areas.
Although still at an early stage, Changsha’s healthcare industry shows strong potential to expand from domestic growth to a global presence, with opportunities to collaborate digitally with Thailand in areas such as telemedicine, health AI, and medical data exchange.
With rich local resources and a skilled workforce, the city’s medical technology and manufacturing sectors could develop cost-effective healthcare solutions accessible to populations worldwide.
Similarly, Changsha’s high-tech enterprises are earning global recognition. Zoomlion, one of the world’s top 50 construction equipment manufacturers, has been acknowledged by Swedish automotive powerhouse Scania for its record-setting truck-mounted crane — with one unit produced every 18 minutes.
China’s technological prowess is also reflected in its rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry, which continues to gain traction internationally.
With strong growth prospects across both industrial and tourism sectors, Changsha’s continued commitment to improving quality, innovation, and social responsibility is set to further consolidate the foundations of its future development.