China’s ambitious push to implement IPv6, the next-generation internet protocol, is encountering both progress and challenges. While the country continues to make strides in IPv6 adoption, recent data suggests that the rate of growth in IPv6 users has slowed. Despite this, the government remains committed to transforming the nation’s internet infrastructure, with plans to tackle the slowdown and further expand the protocol’s reach.
At the third China IPv6 Innovation and Development Conference, which took place in July 2024, Chinese officials reported that as of May 2024, approximately 794 million people in the country were actively using IPv6. This marks a significant achievement, as the number represents over half of the country’s population. However, the increase from the previous year has been relatively modest, raising concerns about the pace of adoption in a nation that has long viewed network infrastructure as a key driver of its economic development.
To put the numbers in context, at the same conference last year, China had reported 763 million active IPv6 users as of May 2023, up from 697 million in 2022. The incremental rise of 31 million users over the past year contrasts with the 66 million-user growth seen between 2022 and 2023. While the figures still indicate a large-scale adoption effort, the slowdown is noteworthy, especially given the importance of IPv6 for China’s long-term technological goals.
Slow Adoption, Big Plans Ahead
Despite the slower-than-expected adoption rate, China is still on track to meet some of its key IPv6 goals. The country is working towards reaching 800 million IPv6 users by 2025, a milestone that is expected to further solidify the country’s place as one of the world’s largest consumers of the protocol. In addition, China has set a target of ensuring that 70% of mobile traffic will be carried over IPv6 by the same year. This target for mobile traffic is seen as critical for optimizing internet services and improving overall network performance in one of the world’s largest mobile user markets.
In terms of fixed network traffic, China has already achieved its target, with 15% of fixed traffic now routed through IPv6 networks. While this is a significant accomplishment, it underscores the disparity between mobile and fixed network adoption. The greater challenge remains in mobile internet usage, where much of China’s internet activity takes place.
The government’s plans to boost IPv6 adoption come on the heels of a bold mandate issued in 2023 that could accelerate this transition. The ruling requires that all new Wi-Fi routers sold in China must support IPv6 and be configured to use it by default as soon as they are powered on. This mandate is expected to have a significant impact, particularly as China’s consumer electronics market remains vast, with millions of new devices entering homes each year. By embedding IPv6 into Wi-Fi routers at the point of sale, the government is hoping to set the foundation for seamless adoption across households and businesses alike.
IPv6 in the Spotlight: China’s National IPv6 Strategy
China’s push for IPv6 adoption is part of a larger, more ambitious national strategy to upgrade its digital infrastructure. As of now, China is still significantly reliant on IPv4, a protocol that was developed in the 1980s and has become increasingly inadequate as the internet has grown. IPv4 addresses are finite, and with over 330 million IPv4 addresses allocated to China, the country faces a growing shortage in meeting the needs of an ever-expanding population of internet-connected devices.
One of the key challenges of IPv4 is Network Address Translation (NAT), a technique used to overcome the limitations of IPv4’s address space. While NAT can allow multiple devices to share a single IPv4 address, it introduces complications in network performance, security, and manageability. In contrast, IPv6 offers a virtually unlimited address space and enhanced capabilities for network optimization, management, and security — all critical components for China’s long-term tech ambitions.
To overcome these challenges, China has devised a multi-pronged approach to accelerate IPv6 adoption. This includes efforts to rebuild networks in key urban areas and pilot regions, with a special focus on eight cities — including Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen — that have a combined population of more than 110 million people. Over the next year, government agencies, data center operators, and consumers in these cities will participate in a “special action” to further promote IPv6. The initiative is designed to stimulate adoption in these regions, create a model for other cities to follow, and demonstrate the capabilities of IPv6 on a large scale.
Global IPv6 Landscape: China Lags Behind
While China is making efforts to boost IPv6 adoption, it still lags behind many other countries in terms of overall IPv6 capability. According to data from Akamai and the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), China ranks 61st globally in IPv6 adoption, with just 36.71% of its networks supporting the protocol. In comparison, India leads the world with 79.85% of its networks running IPv6, followed by Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, France, and Germany.
China lags behind global leaders but understands the need to stay competitive in the digital space. The government invests heavily in internet infrastructure, digital services, and high-tech innovation. It views IPv6 as essential for IoT, big data, and 5G technologies. The government sees the protocol as a key to future economic growth.
Looking Ahead: China’s IPv6 Future
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 presents significant challenges, demanding substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and policy. However, China demonstrates its determination to lead in technological advancement by leveraging its vast population and market potential to overcome these hurdles. By implementing the “de-NAT” policy, which eliminates NAT from many networks and mandates a full shift to IPv6, China showcases its commitment to this transformation.
As more networks adopt IPv6 and come online, China’s digital ecosystem grows more efficient, secure, and scalable. Whether China will secure its position as the world’s top IPv6 adopter in the coming years remains uncertain. For now, the nation drives adoption, tackles obstacles, and works to establish IPv6 as the foundation of its digital future.
The coming months will be crucial in determining how quickly the country can transition to IPv6 and whether it can catch up to global leaders in this critical technological shift.
