Politburo, State Council Meetings Emphasize High-Quality ‘Six Networks’ Build-Out; 2026 Investment Tops RMB7

Following the April 28 Politburo meeting’s call to strengthen planning and construction of the ‘six networks’, the July 30 Politburo meeting again made clear that the planning and construction of the six networks should be solidly advanced. The State Council executive meeting on July 31 made specific arrangements for high-quality construction of the new-type power grid and accelerating the logistics network. The six networks comprise the water network, new-type power grid, computing power network, next-generation communication network, urban underground pipeline network, and logistics network. Their frequent appearance in top-level national design signals a push to solidify the development foundation in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030).

According to estimates, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, planned investment in the new-type power grid will exceed RMB5 trillion, underground pipeline network investment will be about RMB5 trillion, computing power network construction will add RMB4 trillion in direct investment, and national water network investment will surpass RMB6 trillion. In 2026 alone, investment in the six networks and related key areas will exceed RMB7 trillion. This scale of spending provides support for short-term growth stabilization and builds momentum for medium- to long-term structural optimization and upgrading.

In terms of technology integration, the computing power network and the new-type power grid are deeply intertwined: the grid supplies green and stable energy for computing, while computing power enhances new-energy consumption capacity through intelligent dispatch. China has already explored multiple green electricity utilization models such as source-grid-load-storage integration. Network transmission latency among the eight major computing hubs has been reduced to within 20 milliseconds, markedly improving the efficiency of data circulation nationwide. The new-type power grid, computing power network, communication network, logistics network, water network, and underground pipeline network are interwoven, collectively forming an infrastructure system that underpins the development of new quality productive forces.

Underground pipeline network construction will accelerate the shoring up of public-service shortcomings in gas, water supply and drainage, and heating. The new-type power grid, through architectural upgrades and technological breakthroughs, will improve power supply quality and the share of green electricity. Water network construction, by achieving spatially and temporally balanced allocation of water resources, will fortify the lifelines of food security and urban operations. The advancement of this infrastructure is closely linked to people’s daily lives, covering practical application scenarios such as flood prevention and emergency rescue, and energy supply assurance during summer peak demand.