In the humid valleys of Chongqing’s Qijiang District, a replica of a primitive, one-way radio sits in a memorial hall, drawing crowds of visitors ahead of the Communist Party’s anniversary. This 'half-radio,' captured by Red Army General Wang Liang in 1930 during the first counter-encirclement campaign, could only receive signals, not transmit them. Yet, for the Chinese leadership, this relic represents the genesis of 'Red Telecommunications,' a spiritual anchor for the nation’s modern technological ascent.
The historical narrative of the radio is being used to frame Qijiang’s contemporary transformation from a rugged revolutionary base into a high-tech digital hub. Where Red Army soldiers once carried equipment over treacherous mountain passes by hand, China Telecom has now deployed 5G-A (5G-Advanced) infrastructure. This 'New Long March' focuses on bridging the digital divide, ensuring that even remote mountainous regions are integrated into the national data network.
Recent upgrades in Qijiang have seen the implementation of 5G-A network depth coverage, a technology that bridges the gap between 5G and 6G. Local authorities report that network speeds in peak hours have surged by over 86%, facilitating not just smoother consumer experiences for delivery drivers and residents, but also providing the backbone for industrial digitalization. This technological overlay is reshaping the urban landscape, where 'smart' infrastructure—from AI-driven traffic lights to facial recognition security—is now standard in neighborhood renewals.
Beyond consumer connectivity, the region is betting heavily on the 'computing power' economy. The recently operational Qijiang Cloud Data Center serves as a regional hub for financial services and disaster recovery, aiming to make computing power as accessible as water or electricity. By building these 'digital nests,' local officials hope to attract high-end manufacturing and new service industries, effectively using the digital economy to revitalize a traditional industrial hinterland.
Today, Qijiang hosts over 2,500 5G base stations, with gigabit fiber reaching every village. The 'half-radio' has evolved into a comprehensive digital ecosystem that connects traditional gear-manufacturing workshops to the industrial internet. For the state, this evolution is more than just infrastructure development; it is the realization of a century-long pursuit of self-reliance, transforming a symbol of early technical scarcity into a powerhouse of modern digital sovereignty.