The Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park Management Committee unveiled the “Beijing Internet 3.0 Innovation and Development White Paper (2023)” at the Zhongguancun Forum’s parallel forum on “Internet 3.0: Future Internet Industry Development” last Saturday.
The white paper provides a comprehensive analysis and expounds upon the connotation, system architecture, domestic and foreign development status, and development suggestions on Internet 3.0.
According to the White Paper, Internet 3.0 is an embodiment of modern science and technology, representing an inevitable trend in the future development of the Internet industry, which encompasses concepts such as metaverse and Web3. It envisions a three-dimensional space characterized by highly immersive interactive experiences and a fusion of the virtual and real worlds.
Four layers of Internet 3.0
The White Paper outlines the system architecture of Internet 3.0, which comprises four layers — infrastructure, interactive terminal, platform tool and application layers.
The infrastructure layer serves as the foundation for Internet 3.0 operations, incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, computing chips and communication networks. The interactive terminal layer provides the necessary tools and technical support for perceiving and interacting with the virtual and real worlds, involving technologies like XR terminals, holographic images and brain-computer interfaces.
The platform tool layer offers technical support for constructing actors and digital environments in virtual spaces, utilizing digital content production technologies and digital twins. Finally, the application layer facilitates the provision of services for consumer entertainment, industrial manufacturing, government services, city management and more.
Typical application carriers with Internet 3.0 characteristics include digital humans, virtual spaces and digital asset circulation platforms. In terms of industrial development, the White Paper identifies generative artificial intelligence, XR interactive terminals and content production tool platforms as research hotspots within the Internet 3.0 industry, where tech giants such as Apple, Meta and Google have made significant strides.
Challenges and strategic measures
The white paper highlights Beijing’s leading position in terms of development policies, innovative enterprises and scientific research foundations.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the White Paper acknowledges that Beijing’s Internet 3.0 industry still faces challenges in terms of technological capabilities, talent support, industrial chain integrity and legal norms.
Beijing aims to overcome these challenges by strengthening policies, accelerating technological breakthroughs, establishing common platforms and promoting “Internet 3.0+” application scenarios, among others. The city also aims to enhance urban coordination and promote development in various districts.
For example, Haidian focuses on original technological innovation, while Chaoyang fosters the growth of innovative enterprises and enterprise clusters by committing to provide “special funds” of at least 100 million yuan annually (approximately equivalent to $14,000,000) to facilitate the development of the Web3 industrial ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Shijingshan creates benchmark scenarios in areas like science fiction and sports, and Tongzhou accelerates the construction of cultural tourism, smart city scenarios and metaverse innovation centers. Other districts, like Dongcheng, actively plan the development of Internet 3.0 advantageous industries based on their strengths.
To provide a comprehensive roadmap for the new Internet 3.0 track, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have released the “Work Plan on Promoting Innovation and Development of Beijing’s Internet 3.0 Industry (2023-2025),” which aims to prepare Beijing as a global digital economy benchmark city.