AR/VR: China's Gov says Go!
China is already far ahead in VR, experts tell me. The gap is likely to widen as this MIIT opinion puts the full force of government behind AR/VR promotion. Cities and provinces are expected to provide support. Banks are "encouraged" to provide financing. Any "patriotic" company will be expected to provide support.
‘Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Accelerating the Development of Virtual Reality Industry’, provides guidance for the development of virtual reality technology in the country. Standards will be developed and supported.
The goal is "By 2025, China’s virtual reality industry as a whole has entered the forefront of the world, mastering key core patents and standards, and forming a virtual reality backbone enterprise with strong international competitiveness." In Europe, the telcos are pleading for support from other industries like entertainment. The German automakers are pleading for the telcos to build networks ready for connected cars. The Chinese government has the power to make things happen. (Which, of course, also has a downside.)
Separately, I'm reporting Minister Miao Wei has instructed the telcos to bring 90% of China within 25 ms of the cloud.
In Google translation, here is the 8 step program