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AI regulation in China

Verified against the official source 26 Sep 2026 · reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt (a factual check against the official source, not a legal review or legal advice)
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Verification policy and current standing · a factual check, not legal advice.
Download: JSON · Markdown3 instruments · 2 binding
On this page 9 sections

In brief

China has 3 recorded AI policy instruments, 2 of them binding and 2 in force. These measures govern generative AI services offered to the public in China, whether producing text, images, audio or video. Every record here links to its official source and states its verification status.

Type
Country
Region
Asia
Instruments recorded
3
Binding instruments
2
In force
2
Updates and RSS
AI policy updates for China
Verification
Verified against the official source 26 Sep 2026

Overview

These measures govern generative AI services offered to the public in China, whether producing text, images, audio or video. These measures require providers of AI generation and synthesis services to attach explicit labels (visible text, audio or graphic notices) and implicit labels (embedded metadata) to generated text, images, audio, video and virtual scenes. This State Council policy document (Guofa [2025] No.

What is the current regulatory status?

Instruments on record: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (2023, regulation, in force); Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content (2025, regulation, in force); Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action (2025, strategy, adopted). Each is linked to its official source; human verification pending.

Binding rules versus guidance

Binding: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content. Strategy or guidance: Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action.

Key policy instruments

China Regulation In force Binding

Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services

These measures govern generative AI services offered to the public in China, whether producing text, images, audio or video. Providers must use lawfully sourced training data, take steps against discrimination, protect personal information, label generated content, handle user complaints and ensure outputs comply with content rules. Services with public-opinion or social-mobilisation capacity must complete security assessments and algorithm filing. The measures took effect on 15 August 2023.

In force 15 Aug 2023 Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review) Official source
China Regulation In force Binding

Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content

These measures require providers of AI generation and synthesis services to attach explicit labels (visible text, audio or graphic notices) and implicit labels (embedded metadata) to generated text, images, audio, video and virtual scenes. Platforms distributing content must check for and preserve labels, users must declare AI-generated material, and removing or forging labels is prohibited. Compliance is checked during algorithm filing and security assessments. The measures took effect on 1 September 2025.

In force 1 Sep 2025 Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review) Official source
China National strategy Adopted

Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action

This State Council policy document (Guofa [2025] No. 11) sets national targets for AI adoption: broad integration in six priority areas and over 70 percent penetration of intelligent terminals and agents by 2027, over 90 percent by 2030, and a fully intelligent economy and society by 2035. It directs actions in science and technology, industry, consumption, public welfare, governance and international cooperation, backed by measures on models, data, computing infrastructure, talent, law and safety. It succeeds the 2017 New Generation AI Development Plan as the current headline national AI strategy.

Adopted 26 Aug 2025 Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review) Official source

Which states, provinces and regions in China have their own AI laws and policies?

6 instruments on record from 4 of China's sub-national jurisdictions. Each applies only within its own territory.

Sub-national AI laws and policies recorded for China
InstrumentWhereStatusBinding
Shanghai AI regulations (2022) Shanghai In force Binding
Shenzhen AI industry regulations (2022) Shenzhen In force Binding
Generative AI Technical and Application Guideline (2025) Hong Kong Guidance Voluntary
PCPD Model Personal Data Protection Framework for AI (2024) Hong Kong Guidance Voluntary
Beijing general AI measures (2023) Beijing Adopted Voluntary
Hong Kong Ethical AI Framework Hong Kong Guidance Voluntary

Instruments at a glance

Native-language names are shown where the record carries one; a blank means the source is in English or the name is not yet recorded.

AI policy instruments recorded for China
InstrumentTypeStatusBindingKey dateSource
Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services Regulation In force Binding Official
Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content Regulation In force Binding Official
Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action National strategy Adopted Voluntary Official

Timeline

Every dated event on the recorded instruments: publication, adoption, entry into force, application and deadlines. Future dates are marked.

  1. · Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services adopted
  2. · Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services entered into force
  3. · Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content adopted
  4. · Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action adopted
  5. · Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content entered into force

No future deadlines are recorded for China; past milestones are listed on each policy page. New dates reach the calendar feed: China feed · how it works

Latest changes

All updates for China · RSS

All updates for China · RSS · Updates hub

How to use this information

  1. Open the official source on each instrument before relying on any date or obligation.
  2. Treat strategies and guidance as signals of coming regulation, not as binding requirements.

Official government and regulator sources

  1. Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services
    Cyberspace Administration of China · 2023-07-13 · Tier 1 source
  2. Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content
    Cyberspace Administration of China · 2025-03-14 · Tier 1 source
  3. Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action
    Central People's Government of the PRC (gov.cn) · 2025-08-26 · Tier 1 source

Cite this record

AIPolicyTracker (2026). “AI regulation in China”. https://aipolicytracker.org/jurisdictions/china (accessed 27 October 2026). Data licensed CC BY 4.0.

BibTeX 
@misc{aipolicytracker2026_airegulationinchina,
  author       = {{AIPolicyTracker}},
  title        = {{AI regulation in China}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://aipolicytracker.org/jurisdictions/china}},
  url          = {https://aipolicytracker.org/jurisdictions/china},
  urldate      = {2026-10-27},
  note         = {Data licensed CC BY 4.0. Accessed 27 October 2026}
}

Frequently asked questions

Does China have an AI law?

Yes. 2 binding instruments are in force: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services; Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content.

What is the status of AI regulation in China?

Instruments on record: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (2023, regulation, in force); Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content (2025, regulation, in force); Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action (2025, strategy, adopted). Each is linked to its official source; human verification pending.

Is there a national AI strategy in China?

Yes: Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action (2025).

What is binding and what is only guidance in China?

Binding: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content. Strategy or guidance: Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Action.

Is there a federal AI law in China?

Yes. Binding national AI legislation is recorded: Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (regulation); Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content (regulation).

Which sub-national jurisdictions in China have AI laws?

2 of the 4 sub-national jurisdictions recorded here have a binding AI instrument adopted or in force: Shanghai (Shanghai AI regulations (2022)); Shenzhen (Shenzhen AI industry regulations (2022)). Coverage of sub-national jurisdictions is still growing; the coverage page lists what is missing.

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Disclaimer: informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult a qualified lawyer before acting.