The landscape in China will be reshaped by 5G, which will trigger the use of digital technologies in enterprises, according to Chen.

Such optimism is in line with the latest report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. The think tank forecasts that the commercialization of 5G in China is expected to generate direct economic output of 10.6 trillion yuan ($1.5 trillion) from this year to 2025, and indirect economic output of about 24.8 trillion yuan.

But whatever gigantic numbers are used to showcase the benefits of 5G, the technology first needs to bring benefits to frontline workers such as Liu, from the gold mine in Shandong.

He said that many people are visiting the mine to see how 5G is being used to upgrade the traditional industry.

"I have taken many phone calls to answer questions from our peers. They are all eager to embrace the technology, because once properly used, 5G can save our lives in an emergency," Liu said.