In a significant move to bolster its domestic market, China has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to integrate cutting-edge technology into its commerce sector. The Ministry of Commerce and eight other government departments have jointly released an opinion on accelerating the advancement of technology in commerce, aiming to drive high-quality development across the board.
Boosting Consumer Spending with Tech Innovations
The core of this initiative is to leverage technological advancements to enhance consumer spending. This involves upgrading product supply by deepening the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manufacturing. The goal is to enrich the market with intelligent products such as smartphones, computers, home appliances, wearable devices, and robots. The plan also encourages the development and application of smart products based on secure and reliable open-source operating systems, alongside modernizing traditional industries and promoting classic brands.
To better match consumer demand, the strategy promotes flexible manufacturing, encouraging businesses to adopt technologies like industrial big models and edge intelligence. This allows for adaptive production systems and supports new models like on-demand production and direct-to-consumer manufacturing (C2M). AI-powered personalized customization will be a key focus, fostering influential custom brands to meet evolving consumer needs.
Market vitality will be stimulated through trade fairs and exhibitions, which will serve as platforms for showcasing, exchanging, and trading technological achievements. New consumption scenarios centered around technology products will be created, unlocking potential in niche markets. Furthermore, the initiative aims to extend intelligent consumption facilities and services to county-level regions, vitalizing markets beyond major cities.
Enhancing Service Consumption Through Technology
The strategy also targets the expansion of service consumption. This includes innovating home services by fostering collaboration between domestic service providers and tech companies to build smart platforms. The catering industry will undergo digital transformation, with exemplary cases to be published. AI is also eyed for wider application in healthcare, including health management, pharmaceutical services, and rehabilitation care, thereby increasing the supply of quality medical services.
For upgraded services, the national smart education platform will be enhanced, opening up quality educational resources and diversifying learning scenarios. Pilot programs for “AI + Culture and Tourism” will be launched, integrating AI with technologies like extended reality (XR) to develop unique cultural and tourism products and smart services. The “Data Elements x Sports” initiative aims to foster new sports consumption models, such as immersive interactive viewing experiences.
Personalized services will be refined through ethically-guided AI applications, encouraging new business models like intelligent companionship services using robots and virtual digital humans. High-definition audiovisual technology will be supported, promoting immersive experiences in commercial areas, entertainment venues, and educational settings. AI and digital twin technologies will be used to optimize IP development in culture, tourism, and historical industries, encouraging cross-industry integration.
Streamlining Commercial Circulation with Smart Technologies
The efficiency of the supply chain will be improved through integrated digital and intelligent solutions. The plan advocates for the synergistic innovation of technologies like IoT, cloud computing, and blockchain. The adoption of smart warehousing, intelligent logistics equipment, and unmanned delivery systems is encouraged, alongside the promotion of green supply chains and eco-friendly practices.
Wholesale and retail sectors are set for digital and intelligent upgrading. Wholesale markets, especially for agricultural products, will undergo transformation to enhance distribution efficiency. Retail businesses are encouraged to use digital technologies to optimize store layouts, inventory management, logistics, and after-sales services.
The e-commerce ecosystem will be enhanced for quality. Campaigns will promote “authenticate before shipping” models to improve platform quality management. Standards and inspections for online-sold goods in key sectors like home appliances and electronics will be strengthened. The integration of mandatory product certification (CCC mark) with e-commerce platforms and the use of QR codes for traceability will also be implemented.
Shaping Future Commercial Scenarios
Intelligent scenarios will be developed, including commercial intelligent bodies offering services like smart guidance and logistics. Embodied AI technologies are expected to find applications in areas like home services and logistics. Smart consumption scenarios such as virtual shopping and online exhibitions will be promoted, utilizing technologies like digital twins.
Green scenarios will be expanded, supporting businesses in using blockchain for carbon footprint accounting and developing low-carbon consumption environments. The promotion of eco-friendly materials and the establishment of green benchmarks for businesses like restaurants and logistics parks will be prioritized. The intelligent upgrading of the used goods market and recycling resources will foster a circular economy.
Integrated scenarios will emerge by combining virtual reality and digital twins in fields like entertainment, tourism, and health, creating novel consumption experiences. These integrated scenarios will be fostered in key locations like pedestrian streets and shopping districts.
Optimizing the Commercial Technology Environment
A robust commercial technology standard system will be established, including national standards for intelligent terminals. Efforts will be made to upgrade standards in the commerce field and explore how standardization can support innovation.
The digital and intelligent infrastructure will be strengthened, promoting the application of industrial internet and cloud computing platforms in commerce. Support will be provided for AI startups in the commercial sector through accessible computing power. The establishment of high-quality datasets and trusted data spaces will facilitate data integration and value realization.
A secure regulatory framework will be developed, including graded governance for commercial intelligent bodies. Clear guidelines for data collection, usage, and sharing will be established, alongside a risk monitoring system for data security. A regulatory approach that is both inclusive and prudent will allow for the testing of new technologies and models within controlled environments.
Strengthening Support and Guarantees
Research and development in key areas like new displays and intelligent terminals will be accelerated, alongside the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies such as brain-computer interfaces and embodied AI. Innovation centers for commercial technology applications will be fostered.
Talent cultivation in the commercial technology field will be intensified. Partnerships between educational institutions and businesses will be formed to establish training bases and practical platforms. Support will be given to setting up industry-education integration consortia, promoting integrated training programs and job-ready skill development.
Financial support will be increased. Existing funding channels will be leveraged to promote the adoption of new technologies in consumption. Financial institutions are encouraged to increase support for new consumption scenarios and technological upgrades in commercial facilities.
