Beijing Maps AI Into Commerce
An 18-point plan issued in October ties technology to the entire retail chain, from manufacturing to storefront.
China’s Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued the Opinions on Accelerating Technology-Driven Commerce, document 商建函〔2026〕551号, finalized on 13 October 2026 and presented at a State Council Information Office briefing on 19 October. The 18 measures cover upgrading goods through an “AI plus manufacturing” campaign, expanding service consumption, smoothing distribution, and shaping future retail formats including commercial agents and embodied intelligence in logistics. At the briefing, an industry ministry official said China’s AI core industry output exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan in 2025.
