By LI Linxu

As part of efforts to build a digital powerhouse, China is trying to promote the public's digital literacy and skills this year.

This year marks three decades of China officially gaining access to the Internet. A document, jointly issued by four government bodies, including the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the Ministry of Education, calls for making new progress in uplifting the digital literacy and skills of the public.

By the end of this year, the public's digital literacy and skills in China are expected to rise to a new level, with a more complete training system, and a more convenient digital life, said the document.

As the construction of a digital barrier-free environment goes full-steam ahead, the digital divide among various groups will be further narrowed.

Students make VR practices on vehicle maintenance in a vocational education center. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

To achieve the goals, the document laid out a series of key tasks in six areas, including training high-caliber personnel, bridging digital gaps, and promoting digital economy.

Expanding more scenarios for digital life, building a healthier cyberspace, and enhancing relevant guarantees and coordination are also among the key tasks.

Efforts will be made to boost the digital literacy and skills of teachers and students, and more high-level digital craftsman, village digital talents and industrial digital personnel will be cultivated.

Efforts will also be made to accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises, enlarge the supply of high-quality resources and expand the demand space for digital consumption.

Relevant parties are urged to actively take part in international cooperation and exchanges.

In recent years, significant achievements have been made in the country's digital push to boost its citizens' digital literacy and skills.

As of June 2023, China had 1,079 million netizens, up 11.09 million over December 2022, and its Internet penetration had reached 76.4 percent, up 0.8 percentage point over December 2022, according to the latest statistics.