China is embracing an era of digital economy that brings challenges to traditional industry, but creates more possibilities to foster rural vitalization, said an official at a conference Monday in Beijing.

To digitize industry, such as smart retail and E-learning, could bring more and better jobs for young talents who strive to consolidate the results of poverty alleviation and promote rural vitalization, said Wu Yabin, head of UNIDO ITPO Beijing, at the launch ceremony of "The Fourth Industrial Revolution Promotes Industry Support and Rural Revitalization" training.

China's internet giant Tencent has invested 50 billion yuan to explore how to merge digital and industry rural vitalization, according to its organizer.

Statistic show that Tencent's WeChat app has created 3.68 million new jobs in China's digital economy. A young father from North China's Hebei province has benefited from the training program.

"I never thought it could happen. I just tried the training in my hometown," said Zhang Shiwei. Two months of training in Lingshou county, Hebei province, helped Zhang open an account on WeChat channels and garner 70,000 fans.

Organized by UNIDO ITPO Beijing and Tencent, the ceremony also attracted a number of people from international organization and the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the People's Republic of China. They believe that China's new development model could lead the world's great changes and shape the external environment.

(Source: China Daily)