China issues national guidelines linking AI, computing and data with industrial development, alongside safety measures and investment oversight.
In China, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued national guidelines on 9 October 2026 containing 19 measures to promote development through technological innovation and industrial upgrading. The measures cover research, the commercial application of new technologies, institutional reforms, and skills development.
The guidelines call for advances in AI theory and core technologies, alongside stronger provision of computing capacity, algorithms, and data. They support wider use of AI in traditional industries through the AI Plus initiative, improvements to national data infrastructure, and the development of an integrated national computing network. They also propose an open, shared, and secure national data market.
Alongside supporting innovation in China, the guidelines require monitoring technology, early warnings, and emergency responses to keep AI safe, reliable, and controllable. They warn against speculative bubbles and poorly planned investment, requiring development to reflect local conditions. Officials may be held accountable if policy misuse or indiscriminate investment causes major losses.
Why does it matter?
The guidelines connect the computing resources and data needed for AI with research, manufacturing, and commercial use. They combine support for adoption with safety mechanisms and accountability for investment decisions. This places AI infrastructure and data governance within a broader industrial policy framework, linking technological development with how resources are allocated and risks are managed.
