China unveils plan to advance AI, blockchain, and key technologies through 2030
The plan encourages companies to tackle core technologies while advancing frontier fields such as quantum technology, blockchain, brain-computer interfaces, digital twins and new displays.
China is launching a government initiative to strengthen its cybersecurity and information technology sector, targeting stronger innovation, industrial adoption, overseas growth and corporate security by 2030, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.
Under the action plan, authorities will establish a long-term cultivation and support mechanism for high-quality companies and classify them into three categories: ecosystem leaders capable of influencing global technology and industry standards, companies leading specific industries, and high-growth innovators.
Larger companies will be encouraged to provide technology, funding, data and market support to smaller businesses, while policymakers aim to produce more high-growth companies and unicorns.
The plan places particular emphasis on breaking through strategic technologies.
Priorities include advanced chips, basic and industrial software, communications, network and data security, as well as quantum computing, blockchain, brain-computer interfaces and digital twins.
AI development will receive additional backing, including research into high-end AI chips, large-scale training infrastructure, large language and multimodal models, world models, autonomous agents and embodied intelligence. Companies are also encouraged to contribute to open-source projects and communities.
Beyond technology development
The Chinese government wants those companies to become engines of digital industrialization.
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The plan promotes digital tools and services for manufacturers, industrial internet platforms, industry-specific AI models, smart factories and humanoid robot applications. It also targets digital upgrades in agriculture and rural areas, including smart farming, rural e-commerce and digital public services, while encouraging AI-powered healthcare and new digital experiences in tourism, culture and entertainment.
The initiative includes a major push for international expansion. Chinese firms with strengths in AI, cloud computing and computing infrastructure will be supported in entering overseas markets, while ecosystem and industry leaders will be encouraged to help smaller companies expand internationally.
The government will also provide greater assistance with overseas compliance, legal disputes, trade restrictions and international standards.
At the same time, the plan seeks to impose stronger guardrails on the sector. Companies will be expected to improve cybersecurity and personal-data protection, strengthen algorithm governance and prevent AI misuse.
Regulators will step up antitrust enforcement and target practices such as forced platform exclusivity, excessive subsidies and “involution-style” competition. China also plans to advance legislation covering AI, blockchain, digital economies, online platforms and cybersecurity.
Financial and resource support
Authorities will expand financing channels, encourage investment funds to support early-stage and hard-tech companies, facilitate qualified listings on domestic and overseas markets, improve access to compliant data and strengthen digital talent development.
By 2030, the government aims to create a stronger technology ecosystem with globally competitive companies, more advanced products and services, and a more mature framework balancing innovation, security and regulation.