Beijing and London rank among the world’s top digital economy cities, according to a new report released at the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference.
Beijing and London rank among the world’s leading digital economy cities, according to the Global Digital Economy Cities Report released at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference in Beijing on July 1st, CNS reported.
The report places Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, New York and London in the top tier for overall digital capabilities. It says these cities perform strongly across key areas of digital development.
The report uses a “6+1” framework to assess 24 cities. It covers digital infrastructure, digital industries, innovation, governance, low-carbon development and urban resilience, global connectivity, and residents’ digital experience and inclusion.
Seoul, San Francisco, Shenzhen, Tel Aviv and Bengaluru rank as industrial innovation cities. Meanwhile, Shanghai, Paris and Dubai are listed as global openness hubs, while Hangzhou and Tallinn stand out for digital platform governance.
The report says cities should not only adopt digital technologies but also help shape the digital economy ecosystem and common rules. At the same time, it notes that no city can complete digital transformation alone. Challenges such as the digital divide, fragmented regulations, technology ethics, cybersecurity and the green transition call for closer cooperation. It adds that differences between cities can create opportunities for mutual learning.
The report also highlights “digital friendliness” as a key direction for future urban development. It says digital technology should support industry and city governance while remaining accessible to residents, businesses and society.
The conference opened in Beijing on July 1st. Nearly 40 international delegations and more than 1,000 industry representatives are discussing artificial intelligence, digital governance and data resources.
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