In terms of setting up information technology infrastructure, Guizhou used to be last among provinces nationwide.

Wu Huashan, an official with Guian New Area, said a turning point was reached in June 2017, when a direct key national internet connection channel－one of 13 across the country－was launched in the region.

Construction of the new Guian channel, designated for data transmission with foreign countries, was completed on June 30.

Guizhou is home to more than 20,000 5G base stations, with all core areas in cities throughout the province covered by this network.

"Our goal is to allow information technology infrastructure growth to outpace that of industrial development to a certain extent," Wu said.

Huang Xinyao, an employee at China Telecom's information park in Guizhou, said the facility's key strength is high-quality internet connection.

"The park's internet network is directly linked to six major cities: Beijing; Shanghai; Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province; Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province; Wuhan, capital of Hubei province; and Shenzhen, Guangdong," she said.

"It is also linked to all areas of Guizhou."

Huang said more direct links would be launched soon to: Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province; Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province; Hangzhou, the Zhejiang provincial capital; and Fuzhou, capital of Fujian.