Despite still high growth rates the sector is facing a challenging economic environment, with fiercer competition and oversupplies in some segments.
- US punitive tariffs could have a substantial short-term impact
- Domestic sales growth is decreasing
- Payment delays are expected to increase in 2018
In 2017 Chinese ICT sector production growth outperformed GDP expansion again thanks to technological innovations such as cloud computing, Big Data, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and advanced manufacturing. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), total output of the sector exceeded CNY 18 trillion in 2017 (2016: CNY 16.96 trillion). While the ICT output growth rate was high with 9.1%, it was nevertheless lower than in 2015 (up 10.4%) and in 2016 (up 10.0%).
Full article: Market Monitor ICT China 2018