China's Commerce Ministry and 8 other bodies issue opinion on tech-driven commerce
In short
On 19 October, China's Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued an opinion on accelerating technology-driven commerce. It calls for deeper use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, more smart products and faster commercial use of brain-computer interface and embodied AI research. The State Council Information Office held a press conference the same day, where officials said the opinion sets out 18 measures.
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The Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued an opinion on accelerating technology-driven commerce on 19 October, according to CLS, Yicai, Jiemian and China News Service. China News Service cited the Ministry of Commerce website. The opinion calls for coordinated progress in goods consumption, service consumption, circulation efficiency and the integration of new scenarios. It also calls for wider use of artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, blockchain, digital twins and embodied AI. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 10 , 12 ]
On goods, the opinion calls for deeper implementation of the "AI plus manufacturing" action. It wants AI more closely tied to product research, design, manufacturing and marketing, and a wider supply of smart phones, computers, home devices, wearables and robots. It encourages smart products based on secure and reliable open-source operating systems. It also calls for building a group of Chinese consumer brands, developing technology-based agriculture and supporting time-honoured brands in using modern production technology. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 10 ]
On research, the opinion calls for faster work on key technologies in new displays and smart terminals, and for innovation centres for commercial technology application. It says technology transfer bodies should be nurtured in the consumer goods field to speed the market transfer of brain-computer interface and embodied AI results. It also supports trade firms in smart warehousing and digital supply chains in applying for specialised and innovative enterprise status. [ 4 , 8 , 13 ]
The text published by China News Service includes measures on smart home service platforms, digital transformation of catering, AI pilots in culture and tourism, and supply chain action. It also covers smart logistics equipment, quality-focused e-commerce and extra checks on mandatory product certification for online platforms. [ 10 ]
The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the opinion on 19 October. A Ministry of Commerce official said it proposes 18 measures and sets out support in six areas: standards, infrastructure, security supervision, research and transfer, talent and finance. Ministry of Commerce assistant minister Yuan Xiaoming (袁晓明) spoke, and Yicai said officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism also took part. [ 15 , 17 , 20 ]
Meng Yue (孟岳), head of the Ministry of Commerce's Market System Construction Department, said the ministry encourages household service firms to work with technology firms on smart service platforms. Meng said the ministry supports smart elderly care institutions that use wearable devices and body-sensing monitoring for health monitoring and emergency help. [ 18 , 19 ]
36Kr, citing CCTV News, reported that the Ministry of Commerce also said it will use technology to expand sports and education services. [ 19 ]
Why it matters
The opinion lists measures for applying new technologies across retail, services and supply chains. The documents give no figures, deadlines or funding, so its practical effect is not yet shown.
Key facts
- The Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued the opinion on accelerating technology-driven commerce on 19 October. [ 1 , 2 , 10 , 12 ]
- The opinion calls for deeper integration of AI with product research and development, design, manufacturing and marketing, and for more smart phones, computers, home devices, wearables and robots. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 10 ]
- It encourages development and use of smart products based on secure and reliable open-source operating systems. [ 1 , 3 , 7 , 10 ]
- It calls for speeding the market transfer of frontier research results such as brain-computer interfaces and embodied AI. [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
- It also calls for supporting smart warehousing and digital supply chain trade firms to apply for specialised and innovative enterprise status. [ 4 , 8 , 13 ]
- A Ministry of Commerce official said the opinion proposes 18 specific measures. [ 16 , 17 ]
- The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the opinion on 19 October, with officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. [ 15 , 17 , 20 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued the opinion on accelerating technology-driven commerce on 19 October. [ 1 , 2 , 10 , 12 , 14 ]
- The opinion calls for deeper integration of AI with product research, design, manufacturing and marketing, and encourages smart products based on secure and reliable open-source operating systems. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 10 ]
- The opinion calls for speeding the market transfer of brain-computer interface and embodied AI research results. [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
- The opinion contains 18 specific measures, according to a Ministry of Commerce official. [ 16 , 17 ]
Still unclear
- Which eight departments joined the Ministry of Commerce in issuing the opinion. The documents name only the Ministry of Commerce and say 9 departments in total.
- The full text of the opinion, including its final sections on standards and other support. Several documents are cut off before the end, so later measures are not visible.
- Targets, deadlines or funding attached to the measures. None of the documents gives such details.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported that the Ministry of Commerce and 8 other departments had issued the opinion. [ 1 ]
- China News Service published the measures in full. [ 10 ]
- China News Service, citing the Ministry of Commerce website, reported the opinion. [ 12 ]
- Yicai reported that the State Council Information Office was holding a press conference on the opinion. [ 15 ]
- Yicai reported the Ministry of Commerce's statement that the opinion contains 18 measures. [ 16 ]
- CLS reported remarks at the press conference by Meng Yue (孟岳) of the Ministry of Commerce on technology in service consumption. [ 18 ]