Research on the Evolution and Path Analysis of China’s Industrial Internet Industry Policy

Abstract

New-generation information technologies have permeated all sectors of the economy and society. With the advancement of the Internet, the digital economy has thrived, rapidly expanding from the consumer domain to the production sector. The industrial economy has progressively evolved from digitalization toward networking and intelligence. In this context, the industrial internet has emerged as a pivotal driver for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. Since 2015, the Chinese government has introduced a series of policies to actively promote the development of the industrial internet, establishing a relatively comprehensive policy framework. An analysis of the evolution of China’s industrial internet policies reveals a strategic shift in policy focus—from an initial emphasis on supply-side instruments to a more balanced integration of supply-side and environment-side measures—and a refinement of policy objectives, from constructing theoretical frameworks to addressing deeper challenges such as enhancing foundational innovation capabilities. Nevertheless, the development of the industrial internet continues to face significant challenges, including technological innovation bottlenecks, complex market demands, and persistent data security concerns. This paper reviews the evolutionary trajectory of industrial policies, analyzes the developmental pathway of the industrial internet from a macro-level perspective, and proposes an integrated optimization strategy for China’s industrial internet policy system.