China reports nearly 4.65 million 5G base stations nationwide

China has continued its rapid digital expansion, with the number of 5G base stations reaching nearly 4.65 million by the end of August 2025, according to new data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Officials said the figure represents 36.3 percent of the country’s total mobile base stations, underlining the scale of China’s investment in next-generation infrastructure. The rollout of 5G has been a cornerstone of the government’s digital strategy, supporting faster networks, smart industries, and new technologies like AI and autonomous systems.

By the end of August, China’s four major telecom operators — China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Broadnet — together recorded about 1.82 billion mobile phone subscribers. Among these, over 1.15 billion are now using 5G services, a net increase of 140 million compared to the end of last year. This means nearly two-thirds (63.4 percent) of China’s mobile users are connected via 5G.

Experts say this massive adoption not only reflects China’s strong push for digital connectivity but also its role as a global leader in 5G deployment. The technology is enabling advances in areas such as smart cities, industrial automation, healthcare, and green energy solutions.

China’s achievement comes as many countries are still expanding their 5G infrastructure, highlighting the nation’s ambition to stay ahead in the global digital race.