Economic disparity and digital divide in China

The rapid advancement of ICT is posing unprecedented challenges and opportunities to the underdeveloped areas. Whether the digital revolution will broaden or narrow the huge economic disparity in China is an important issue to be addressed. In this paper we investigate the situation of digital divide in China. We have found that there is a clear gap between the three regions in their ICT industry development and ICT diffusion. The root of the problem is the disparity in the overall economic development. The digital divide may further aggravate the economic unbalance among the three regions. The government needs to take an active role in promoting the ICT industry in the Central and Western Regions.