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China’s 9-Department Plan to Boost Tech-Driven Commerce: What Foreign Founders Should Know
China’s Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued an opinion to accelerate tech-enabled commerce. The plan promotes AI, big data, IoT, and other technologies across consumption, supply chains, and services. Foreign founders can use this guide to understand policy priorities and business opportunities in China’s evolving commerce landscape.
Overview of the Policy
China’s Ministry of Commerce, together with eight other government departments, has released a policy opinion aimed at accelerating technology-driven commercial innovation. The document, titled “Opinions on Accelerating the Promotion of Technology-Driven Commerce,” outlines how digital and emerging technologies should be integrated into China’s domestic market to boost consumption, improve supply chains, and modernize services. For foreign founders setting up or operating a company in China, this policy signals key areas of government support and regulatory focus.
Key Objectives and Technology Focus
The policy sets broad goals: enhancing the quality of goods consumption, expanding services consumption, improving circulation efficiency, and fostering innovative scenarios. It emphasizes raising the application level of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, blockchain, digital twins, and embodied intelligence. The overarching aim is to make commerce smarter, greener, and more integrated, supporting the creation of a strong domestic market.
Practical Implications for Foreign Founders
1. Smart Product Supply and Manufacturing
The plan encourages the deep integration of AI into product R&D, design, manufacturing, and marketing. It highlights increasing the supply of smart goods like smartphones, computers, home appliances, wearables, and robots. Foreign founders in consumer electronics, robotics, or smart home sectors may find opportunities to collaborate with local manufacturers or develop products aligned with these priorities. The policy also supports the use of secure, reliable open-source operating systems in smart products.
2. Demand-Supply Matching and Customization
Flexible manufacturing models such as on-demand production and consumer-to-manufacturer (C2M) are promoted. The policy encourages AI-based personalized customization and the development of influential custom brands. Foreign founders with expertise in flexible production or personalized products could leverage these trends to partner with Chinese firms or establish local operations.
3. Market Activation and Consumer Engagement
The government plans to use expos and trade fairs (e.g., China International Consumer Products Expo, Global Digital Trade Expo) as platforms for showcasing and trading scientific achievements. It also aims to extend smart consumption facilities and services to county-level areas, stimulating lower-tier markets. Foreign founders should consider participating in relevant trade events and exploring distribution channels beyond major cities.
4. Service Sector Upgrades
In basic services, the policy supports smart housekeeping platforms, digital transformation of catering, AI applications in health management and elderly care, and smart elderly care and childcare services. In upgraded services, it promotes smart education platforms, AI in culture and tourism, and “data element × sports” initiatives. Foreign founders in health tech, edtech, or tourism tech may find openings for pilots or partnerships.
5. Personalized and Immersive Services
The policy encourages healthy and regulated new services like companion robots and virtual digital humans. It also supports ultra-high-definition audiovisual technology and immersive experiences in retail, entertainment, tourism, and education. Foreign founders with IP or technology in these areas could explore licensing or joint ventures.
6. Supply Chain Integration and Digitalization
A dedicated action plan aims to accelerate smart supply chains, including IoT, cloud computing, and blockchain. The policy promotes smart warehouses, unmanned delivery, and green supply chains. It also supports cultivating leading smart supply chain enterprises that empower SMEs. Foreign founders in logistics tech or supply chain management can seek partnerships or establish local entities to participate.
7. Wholesale and Retail Digital Upgrade
Wholesale and retail businesses are encouraged to integrate online and offline operations, with digital upgrades for agricultural wholesale markets and retail innovation projects. Foreign founders in retail tech or e-commerce solutions may find demand for their services.
8. E-commerce Quality Ecosystem
The policy promotes quality e-commerce, including “inspect before shipping” models and stricter quality standards for online sales of home appliances, electronics, and home products. It also strengthens CCC certification checks for e-commerce platforms and pilots traceability QR codes. Foreign founders selling products online in China should ensure compliance with these evolving standards.
9. Intelligent, Green, and Integrated Scenarios
The plan encourages commercial intelligent agents (e.g., smart shopping guides, operations, logistics), embodied intelligence in commerce, and cloud-based shopping experiences. It also supports green initiatives like carbon footprint calculation via blockchain, green stores, and recycling. Integrated scenarios blending virtual reality, digital twins, and cultural, tourism, health, and sports elements are also highlighted. Foreign founders with relevant technologies can propose pilot projects or collaborate with local governments.
10. Standards, Infrastructure, and Regulation
The policy calls for improving commercial technology standards, including national standards for AI terminal intelligence. It also aims to upgrade digital infrastructure, support AI startups with inclusive computing power, and build high-quality datasets. On regulation, it advocates tiered governance for commercial intelligent agents, data security risk monitoring, and sandbox pilots for new technologies. Foreign founders should stay informed about these regulatory developments to ensure compliance and leverage pilot opportunities.
11. R&D, Talent, and Financial Support
Key technology R&D in areas like new displays and smart terminals is encouraged, along with technology transfer institutions for consumer goods, brain-computer interfaces, and embodied intelligence. The policy supports talent cultivation through industry-education integration and new vocational roles. Financial support includes guiding financial institutions to increase funding for new consumption scenarios and technical upgrades. Foreign founders can explore R&D partnerships, talent programs, and financing options.
Conclusion and Next Steps
This policy opinion provides a roadmap for China’s tech-driven commerce development. Foreign founders should assess how their business aligns with these priorities, consider partnerships with local entities, and monitor implementing regulations. For hands-on assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.