Shanghai seeks digital upgrade

Shanghai has demonstrated its determination to accelerate its digital push and outrank peer cities in the digital economy through two major agreements with Chinese internet giants.

By teaming up with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd on a number of new tech applications, the municipal government is seeking to leverage internet technologies to spur new growth momentum and improve public services, experts said.

There are fears that Shanghai is falling behind in digital transformation, which has started to change the business models of traditional industries in noticeable ways, said Chu Yin, a researcher specializing in digital economy at the Center for China and Globalization.