China TMT Bi-monthly Update - March & April 2024 Issue

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Key Highlights

March and April legal developments in telecommunications, artificial intelligence (“AI”), e-commerce, and new energy vehicle industries saw:

• The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (“MIIT”) announced a pilot program to remove limitation on foreign ownership in certain value-added telecom services in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen.
• On AI, the government published policies to accelerate industry integration to encourage utilisation of the technology, whilst legal and ethical issues gained attention with cases such as the first AI-generated voice personality rights infringement.
• On e-commerce, the Ministry of Commerce issued guidelines to boost high-quality rural e-commerce and live streaming sales, supported by financial and regulatory measures to enhance industry growth and market regulation.
• The new energy vehicle sector will benefit from various policies that support constructing infrastructure like smart transportation systems and charging facilities, exemplified by Chongqing’s supercharging initiative for electric vehicles.

Follow the links below to view the official policy documents or public announcements.

Legislative Developments

1. China has launched a pilot program to remove foreign ownership ratio restrictions on several telecom services, including IDC and CDN, in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen (10 April)

   MIIT issued the Notice on the Pilot Work of Expanding the Opening of Value-Added Telecommunications Services to Foreign Investment, deciding to expand the opening of value-added telecommunications services to foreign investment through pilot projects. The pilot areas, including the Beijing Municipality Service Industry Opening Comprehensive Demonstration Zone, the Shanghai Free Trade Zone Lingang New Area and Socialist Modernization Pilot Zone, Hainan Free Trade Port, and Shenzhen Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Pilot Demonstration Zone, will remove foreign ownership restrictions on Internet Data Center, Content Distribution Network, Internet Access Service, online data processing and transaction processing services, as well as information services including information publishing platforms and delivery services (excluding internet news, online publishing, online audio-visual, and internet cultural operations), and information protection and processing services.

2. MIIT approved 454 industry standards, involving industries of electronics, telecommunication (10 April)

   The MIIT issued Notice No. 4 of 2024, approving 454 industry standards, including the Technical Specifications for Servo Motors Used in Multi-joint Robots. These standards span various sectors like chemical, petrochemical, metallurgy, non-ferrous metals, building materials, rare earths, machinery, aviation, light industry, electronics, and communications. Additionally, the update includes three amendments and six foreign language versions of the standards. This initiative aims to enhance technical specifications and product quality across industries, align with international standards, and boost market competitiveness.

3. TC260 seeks public comments on the national standard for digital watermarking technology (3 April)

   The National Information Security Standardization Technical Committee (“TC260”) is seeking feedback on the Guidelines for Implementing Digital Watermarking Technology. These guidelines provide a detailed framework for implementing digital watermark technology, including functionality and processes. It covers the embedding, encoding, extraction, and decoding of watermarks across various media types such as documents, images, audio, and video. Additionally, the guide discusses different forms of watermark services packaging, such as SDK, SaaS, and product encapsulation, along with their applicable scenarios.

4. MIIT seeks public comments on the regulatory rules and implementation measures for the industrial robotics (25 March)

   The MIIT solicits public comments for the Industrial Robot Industry Specification Conditions (2024 Edition) (Draft) and the Management Measures for Industrial Robot Industry Specifications (2024 Edition) (Draft). The specification draft outlines detailed conditions to standardize industry management, promote fair competition, and foster high-quality industry development. It sets standards applicable to enterprises engaged in manufacturing and integrating key components of industrial robots, including requirements on basic enterprise standards, technical capabilities, production conditions, quality, and staff qualifications. The management measures draft details the implementation procedures for these specifications, including the application, review, announcement, and inspection processes for industrial robot enterprises. It defines the responsibilities of MIIT for public management of compliant enterprises and the duties of provincial industrial and information technology departments and central enterprise groups.

5. National Energy Administration released a guide for the construction of standard system for Coal Mine Intelligence, to promote high-quality development in the coal industry (13 March)

   The guide outlines basic requirements and principles and sets construction goals to advance the research and implementation of intelligent coal mining standards. It highlights five subsystems within the standard system: basic general standards, information foundation, platforms and software, production systems and technical equipment, and operations and maintenance support and management. Additionally, it details specific measures for organization and implementation, including strengthening professional support, promoting the transformation of achievements, and enhancing the dissemination and implementation of standards to ensure the widespread application and continuous updating of intelligent coal mining technologies.

6. MOST announced that human genetic resources will be managed by the National Health Commission (25 April)

   The existing application process and platform (http://apply.hgrg.net) will remain unchanged. This change follows the State Council’s institutional reform plan announced on March 7, 2023, which incorporated the China Biotechnology Development Center into the National Health Commission. A major function of this center, previously under the MOST, is the review and service of human genetic resources, handled by the Office of Human Genetic Resources Management within the center. With this adjustment, the office will also move under the jurisdiction of the National Health Commission.

7. Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau solicited public comments on the discretionary standards and tables for administrative penalties related to combating telecom and online fraud (28 March)

   The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau solicited public opinions on the Discretionary Benchmarks for Administrative Penalties for Telecom and Internet Fraud (2024 Edition) (Draft) and the Discretionary Benchmark Table for Violations of the ‘Anti-Telecom and Internet Fraud Law (Draft). The first document defines the discretionary levels for illegal activities and provides specific penalty standards, including detention, fines, and circumstances that may aggravate or mitigate the penalties. The second document lists various violations of the Anti-Telecom and Internet Fraud Law and the corresponding administrative discretionary penalties, including detailed descriptions of the violations, legal bases, and specific discretionary benchmarks under different circumstances. This table serves as a detailed guideline for law enforcement, ensuring consistency in the exercise of discretion and the correct implementation of the law.

Enforcement Development

8. CAC has launched a special campaign to address self-media accounts’ unscrupulous pursuit of traffic and to strengthen their management (23 April)

   The Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) announced the launch of a two-month special operation named Clear and Rectify “Self-Media” Indiscriminate Chasing of Traffic. This initiative aims to combat the unethical practices of self-media platforms in chasing traffic, enhance the credibility of information dissemination, and maintain a clean cyberspace. The focus of the rectification includes fabricated self-produced content, unscrupulous trend-jacking, biased topic setting, creating personas that violate public order and morals, and the spread of “new yellow news.” Key tasks involve strengthening platform management, comprehensive management of self-media accounts, enhancing the display of information sources, and improving traffic management measures to ensure a clean and upright online environment.

9. NMPA released five typical cases of illegal online drug sales (fifth batch) to crack down on such violations (23 April)

   The National Medical Products Administration (“NMPA”) disclosed five typical cases of illegal online drug sales in its fifth batch of examples, highlighting the strict measures against unlawful practices in online pharmaceutical sales. These cases include the illegal sale of prescription drugs, unlicensed operations, and the sale of drugs banned from online distribution. This disclosure reflects the regulatory authority’s strict monitoring and severe penalties for violations in online drug sales. Additionally, the NMPA provided guidance for consumers on compliance when purchasing drugs online and how to correctly report illegal drug sales activities.

10. SAMR organised a special action to supervise advertisements in the field of people’s livelihood and to maintain the order of the advertising market (9 April)

    The State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) has initiated a special action to oversee advertising in sectors critical to public welfare, such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and food, in order to regulate the advertising market and protect consumer rights. This campaign targets illegal activities in medical beauty advertisements, harshly penalizes ads promoting "miracle doctors" and "miracle drugs," and strengthens food advertising oversight to prevent health food and regular food from being advertised with exaggerated effects. The operation also enforces the law against false advertisements in myopia prevention products, enhances supervision of cosmetics and disinfectant product advertisements, and regulates various training advertisements. This includes a continued cleanup of extracurricular training ads and increased supervision of vocational training ads. The initiative aims to foster a healthy consumer environment and ensure an orderly advertising market.

11. Beijing Internet Court pronounces judgement on the China’s first case of personality rights infringement involving AI-generated voices in the first instance (23 April)

    The Beijing Internet Court delivered a verdict in China’s first case of personality rights infringement involving AI-generated voices, ruling that a natural person’s voice rights can extend to AI-generated voices if they are recognizable. In this case, the plaintiff, a voice actor, discovered that his voice was used without authorization for AI voice synthesis and then widely used across various platforms. The court found that the defendant’s unauthorized use of the plaintiff’s voice constituted infringement and ordered the defendant to apologize and compensate the plaintiff for economic losses. The judgment clearly stated that a natural person’s voice, as a personal right of personality, should be legally protected. Unauthorized commercial use of a person’s voice constitutes an infringement. This ruling underscores the need for more precise and legal protections for individual voices as technology evolves, addressing challenges posed by new technologies.

12. Jiangsu Public Security issued 10 typical cases of combating and rectifying Internet rumours to safeguard the order of cyberspace and the legitimate rights and interests of the people (10 April)

    The Jiangsu Public Security has launched a special campaign to crack down on online rumors, strictly enforcing the law against crimes related to false alarms, hot events, and economic and livelihood issues. Since 2024, 1670 cases related to online rumors have been investigated, and 10 typical cases have been publicized. These cases span various domains, including education, social life, and personal reputation, with individuals being legally penalized for spreading false information. This initiative aims to maintain order in cyberspace and protect the lawful rights and interests of the public. It serves as a reminder that the internet is not beyond the law and urges netizens to be cautious in their communications, not to create, spread, or believe rumors, and encourages them to use legal means to protect their rights if they are affected by online misinformation.

13. CAC has launched a special campaign to address and rectify the disorder of information involving corporate infringement (30 March)

    The CAC has launched the “Clear Lang - Optimize Business Network Environment—Rectify the Chaos of Enterprise-Related Infringing Information” special campaign. This initiative focuses on the chaotic online information that infringes on the legal rights of businesses and entrepreneurs. By reinforcing the primary responsibilities of website platforms and standardizing the handling and processing of enterprise-related information complaints, the campaign aims to rectify issues such as baseless defamation of businesses and entrepreneurs, fabrication and spread of false information, extortion for illegal benefits, interference with normal business operations, and malicious speculation on public enterprise-related information. This action is designed to create a more orderly and lawful online business environment.

14. Xi’an police investigated a case of using AI to generate articles to spread rumours and punished a number of people (27 March).

    Since December 2023, rumors about hot water emerging underground in Huoyi District, Xi’an, have spread widely online, causing significant social impact. An investigation revealed that these rumors were primarily generated using AI “article spinning” technology. The offenders used AI software to create and disseminate false information on social platforms for profit. In response, Xi’an police took action and legally penalized the involved individuals, including administrative punishments and educational criticism, and ordered the removal of the rumor content. This case highlights the need for adherence to laws and regulations amidst technological advancements, ensuring that technology is not misused to create or spread misinformation.

15. The Chongqing police cracked down on five typical cases of Internet rumours in accordance with the law, effectively maintaining a clear and harmonious cyberspace environment (11 March)

    The Chongqing police have taken stringent actions against the spread of online rumors to maintain a clean and harmonious online environment. They have disclosed five typical cases involving the dissemination of false information, with each perpetrator receiving administrative penalties under the law. These actions underscore the principle that cyberspace is not beyond the reach of law and call on the public to not create, believe, or spread rumors, jointly striving to uphold order on the internet.

Industry Developments

16. Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with several departments, has released sixteen measures to support foreign institutions in investing in domestic technology enterprises (19 April)

    The Ministry of Commerce, along with ten other departments, has released the Several Policy Measures on Further Supporting Overseas Institutions Investing in Domestic Technology Enterprises. The document focuses on four main areas: optimizing management services, increasing financing support, enhancing exchange and cooperation, and improving exit mechanisms. It outlines 16 specific measures to facilitate overseas investment in domestic tech companies. These measures include easing application and entry procedures, optimizing foreign exchange management, supporting bond issuances, broadening financing channels, and strengthening cooperation mechanisms. The aim is to develop an integrated technology finance service system, enhance the role of finance in supporting technological innovation, boost investor confidence, and promote the growth and development of tech enterprises.

17. CAC, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the MIIT jointly released the 2024 work plan for large-scale deployment and application of IPv6 to advance its implementation (22 April)

    The CAC, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the MIIT jointly released the 2024 Work Plan for Advancing the Large-Scale Deployment and Application of IPv6. The plan outlines the objectives for 2024 and sets out ten key tasks including enhancing IPv6 network performance and service quality, improving the level of IPv6 deployment in application facilities, increasing the IPv6 connectivity of end devices, strengthening pioneering and demonstration leadership, advancing the evolution of IPv6 single-stack deployment, deepening industry integration applications, expanding the scale of IPv6 content sources, promoting innovation ecosystem and standards system construction, enhancing network security, and intensifying publicity and promotion efforts. This initiative aims to comprehensively push forward the large-scale deployment and application of IPv6, promoting the healthy development and widespread use of IPv6 networks.

18. MIIT has launched the 2024 5G Lightweight (RedCap) Interoperability Initiative to advance the commercial process of 5G RedCap (11 April)

    The MIIT has announced the 2024 Action Plan for 5G Lightweight (RedCap) Interoperability, aimed at accelerating the commercial progress of 5G RedCap. The initiative focuses on speeding up the innovative development of 5G by promoting the large-scale deployment and application of IPv6. It encompasses seven areas: standard construction, network interoperability, technology upgrades, device diversity, application demonstration, security assurance, and comprehensive regulation. The action plan seeks to enhance 5G RedCap technology through improving technical standards, expanding network coverage, enhancing device capabilities, diversifying product offerings, exploring innovative applications, strengthening security measures, and reinforcing regulatory oversight. This is intended to promote the widespread application and rapid development of 5G RedCap technology across various industries.

19. MIIT released an implementation plan to promote industrial equipment renewal (9 April)

    This plan aims to facilitate the modernization of China’s industry by massively updating and technologically transforming industrial equipment. The focus is on promoting digitalization and greening transformations, enhancing updates through market-oriented, standardized, and integrated hardware and software solutions, and significantly improving the level of digitalization and automation of industrial equipment by 2027. Additionally, the plan outlines support measures in four areas: fiscal and tax policies, standards, financial support, and resource guarantees, to ensure the smooth execution and sustained impact of the implementation plan.

20. Multiple departments initiated pilot programs to address the shortcomings of charging and swapping infrastructure in county areas (9 April)

    The Ministry of Finance, the MIIT, and the Ministry of Transport have jointly issued a notice on the Pilot Project for Supplementing and Replenishing Charging and Battery Exchange Infrastructure in County Areas, aimed at accelerating the development of public charging and battery exchange infrastructure in rural areas to boost consumption of new energy vehicles. Through the “Hundred Counties, Thousand Stations, Ten Thousand Poles” pilot project, the central government will provide financial incentives to selected pilot counties. The project aims to enhance the capability of charging and battery exchange services in rural areas, stimulate the potential consumption of new energy vehicles, and promote new technologies and models. Pilot counties will apply based on specific criteria and standards, optimizing the support management policy system for charging and battery exchange facilities to achieve efficient and safe construction and operation of the infrastructure.

21. Beijing released an implementation plan for the construction of computing power infrastructure to promote independent innovation in the computing power industry (24 April)

    This plan is part of the effort to implement national decisions on deepening artificial intelligence research and application and to strengthen the “Artificial Intelligence +” action plan. It emphasizes demand-driven and regional coordination, advocating for the optimization of computational power supply structures and enhancement of computational power dispatch capabilities within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei-Mongolia region, aiming to build an integrated collaborative development mechanism. By 2027, the plan targets establishing a domestically leading, independently controllable computational power technology system, optimizing the quality of computational power supply, achieving leading domestic energy consumption standards, and forming a secure, reliable, and green intensive computational power collaborative development pattern.

22. The Ministry of Commerce issued opinions on promoting high-quality development of rural e-commerce (13 March)

    This document aims to guide and stimulate the growth of rural e-commerce through government leadership and market forces, deepening the rural e-commerce service system and enhancing its overall quality and efficiency. Key initiatives include constructing multi-level rural e-commerce service platforms, fostering deep integration between e-commerce and the agricultural industry, advancing the construction of a modern rural logistics system, nurturing diverse rural e-commerce entities, and enhancing the industrialization level of rural e-commerce. The strategy also involves conducting various promotional activities to boost the vitality and momentum of rural e-commerce.

23. Beijing government outlined several tasks to accelerate the development of the brain-computer interface industry in Beijing (19 April)

    The Beijing government solicited comments on the Beijing Brain-Computer Interface Industry Development Action Plan (2024—2030) (Draft for Comments). The plan emphasizes five key principles: innovation-driven, scenario-based, integrated promotion, security and reliability, and open collaboration. It aims to propel the integration of brain-computer interfaces with various sectors such as healthcare, education, and industry through technological and application innovations. By 2026, the plan targets achieving breakthroughs in core technologies and developing multiple scalable application cases. By 2030, the goal is to comprehensively enhance the technology system and ecosystem, establishing a globally influential brain-computer interface industry cluster. The plan also includes key tasks such as enhancing research and development of crucial technologies, enriching product offerings, building a collaborative industry ecosystem, and establishing a comprehensive set of standards and evaluation systems.

24. Beijing released a series of measures to promote the green and low-carbon development of the manufacturing and information software industries, vigorously advancing their green and low-carbon transformation (16 April)

    The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology has issued the Beijing Municipal Measures to Promote the Green and Low-Carbon Development of the Manufacturing Industry and the Information and Software Industry. The policy aims to elevate the sectors’ environmental performance and energy efficiency through the adoption of green management practices and technological renovations. Specific initiatives include the green and low-carbon retrofitting of enterprise parks, upgrading energy-saving and emission reduction technologies, and promoting the greening of industrial parks and data centers. The policy also emphasizes the role of green finance and enhanced green supply chain management in supporting this transformation. Additionally, the measures include a green development rating and funding for relevant enterprises to encourage more businesses to adopt green and low-carbon practices. These actions are part of Beijing’s broader effort to reduce its carbon footprint and foster sustainable industrial growth.

25. Beijing has issued a notice to foster the development of online consumption (29 March)

    The notification aims to encourage and guide the development of online consumption among enterprises registered in Beijing with independent corporate status through financial support. The targeted beneficiaries include internet platform companies, enterprises operating their own online sales platforms, and those offering live streaming e-commerce or third-party operation services. The support measures include offering rewards of up to 5 million yuan based on the company’s transaction volume and growth rate, as well as providing rewards to e-commerce service companies based on the trade volume they facilitate. The notification also details the application materials, process, and criteria for project evaluation, emphasizing strict requirements for security, credit, and the proper use of fiscal funds by the applicants. This initiative is designed to stimulate the online consumer market and support the digital economy in Beijing.

26. Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau has released several measures to promote the high-quality development of live-streaming e-commerce (22 March)

    These measures are designed to enhance the quality development of live streaming e-commerce in Beijing, supporting the digital transformation of the physical economy and the upgrading and expansion of new types of consumption. The policy focuses on several key areas: cultivating market entities, enhancing the functionality of e-commerce platforms, attracting high-quality live streaming service providers, creating brand IPs and distinctive live streaming e-commerce bases, and promoting technological innovation and regulated development.

27. Chongqing Government released an action plan for convenient supercharging of new energy vehicles to support the construction of a world-class intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry cluster (3 April)

    Chongqing Municipal Government has issued the Chongqing New Energy Vehicle Convenient Supercharging Action Plan (2024—2025), aiming to establish a high-quality charging infrastructure system and promote the efficient integration of new energy vehicles with the power grid. By the end of 2025, the plan targets to establish an extensive supercharging network in Chongqing, including 2,000 supercharging stations and 4,000 supercharging piles. The action plan emphasizes intelligence and convenience, moderately advanced deployment, and enhancing the efficiency and safety of charging infrastructure through technologies like "photo-storage-charging" and smart microgrids. Additionally, the plan includes strengthening the construction of the power grid and support for high-power charging facilities to ensure the stability and safety of the charging network and promote high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry.

28. Sichuan Government released policies to support high-quality development of new energy and intelligent connected vehicle industry (3 March)

    The policies aim at accelerating the transformation and high-quality development of the province’s automotive industry towards new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. The policies include financial support for key projects, promoting industrial intelligent transformation, expanding the production of new energy vehicles, enhancing the supporting capacity of key component enterprises, promoting the clustered development of industries, strengthening technical breakthroughs, supporting the development of innovative strategic emerging industries, promoting the application of new energy vehicles, and optimizing the construction of charging and swapping infrastructure. Additionally, the policy emphasizes support for enterprise listing and financing, enhancing export capabilities, and encourages local governments and enterprises to actively utilize national and provincial funds and policy support.

29. CAC held a symposium on internet infringement, requesting that the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and entrepreneurs be protected in accordance with the law (28 April)

    The CAC held a symposium on reports of internet infringement concerning enterprises, focusing on discussing and arranging optimized measures for handling such reports. The meeting emphasized the importance of legally protecting the rights and interests of enterprises and entrepreneurs, highlighting the necessity to optimize the business network environment and boost enterprise confidence. It proposed strengthening the management of internet infringement information related to enterprises, enhancing the clarity of identification and completeness of guidance in reporting channels, enforcing strict supervision and inspections, and unifying standards. The meeting also called for publicizing typical cases to strengthen education and awareness. Furthermore, it required website platforms to fulfill their responsibilities effectively, improving the efficiency of report acceptance and resolution.

30. SAMR held a symposium on advertising regulation to set priorities for 2024 (3 April)

    SAMR held a national symposium on advertising regulation to summarize the achievements of 2023 and set priorities for 2024. The meeting emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen advertising regulation and guiding the high-quality development of the advertising industry. It proposed measures such as special actions and enhanced compliance monitoring of advertisements on internet platforms, aiming to further elevate both advertising regulation and industry development.

31. Ministry of Transport published the second batch of pilot projects for intelligent transportation applications, focusing on autonomous driving and intelligent construction, totalling 32 projects (23 April)

    The Ministry of Transport announced the second batch of intelligent transportation pilot projects focused on autonomous driving and intelligent construction, aimed at accelerating transportation technology innovation. This batch consists of 32 pilot projects involving processes such as self-application, recommendation, and expert review. The objective is to enhance technology application, improve transportation service efficiency, and advance intelligent management of infrastructure. Lead units are required to advance projects scientifically while ensuring safety, strengthen results summarization and technical exchanges, and develop replicable and scalable solutions. Recommending units will provide necessary tracking, guidance, and support.

32. MIIT held a symposium with artificial intelligence enterprises and manufacturing enterprises (11 April)

    The MIIT held a symposium on artificial intelligence empowering new industrialization enterprises, emphasizing the deep integration of AI with the manufacturing sector to promote intelligent manufacturing and new industrialization. The meeting, chaired by Minister Jin Zhuanglong, focused on the application and promotion of AI technologies in industrial settings, as well as the challenges and suggestions faced by enterprises in this process. The meeting underscored the importance of scenario-based applications, strengthening AI infrastructure, promoting the full-process intelligence of the manufacturing industry, advancing intelligent upgrades in key sectors, accelerating the development of large industrial models, and optimizing the integration pathways of AI and industry to form a mutually empowering development model.

33. CAC released information on the fifth batch of registered deep synthetic service algorithms (11 April)

    This batch includes includes Youku’s synthetic generation algorithms, Yuewen Miaobi’s large text generation models, Yisheng Zhuxiang’s generation algorithms, Xiaoice’s face generation algorithms, WPSAI’s WenShengTu Algorithm-1, Moonshot-1 language model algorithms, Taobao’s generative e-commerce guide algorithms, CNKIAI’s academic research assistant algorithms, Taobao Xingchen large model algorithms, and CNKI’s intelligent document generation algorithms.

34. CAC released the second batch of registration numbers for app distribution platforms (8 April)

    The second batch of registration numbers for app distribution platforms includes 23 platforms such as Wandoujia, Honor App Market, Meizu App Store, Douyin Open Platform, and Alipay Platform. The administration emphasized that the registration only confirms the platforms’ app distribution activities and does not represent endorsement of their service capabilities or the apps they offer. Platforms and individuals are prohibited from using the registration for commercial purposes or engaging in unauthorized activities.

35. CAC released the registration information for generative AI services, totalling 117 generative AI models (2 April)

    The CAC announced the registration of 117 generative artificial intelligence models in its Announcement on the Registered Information of Generative AI Services. Entities offering generative AI services with the potential to influence public opinion or mobilize society must complete registration through local cyberspace authorities, which should promptly make the registration information public. Generative AI applications or features already online must display the registered AI service details prominently on the product detail page, including the model name and registration number. The registration information will be continuously updated on the administration’s official website, and future updates will not be separately announced.

36. Beijing opened applications for commercial pilot projects for intelligent networked buses in the Advanced Policy Area (18 March)

    Upon approval, companies can provide intelligent paid transportation services on designated routes within Beijing’s Intelligent Networked Vehicle Policy Advanced Area. To date, five companies in the Advanced Area have been granted permissions for regular road testing, accumulating over 75,000 kilometers in autonomous driving tests. Two of these companies have orderly progressed to the manned demonstration application stage, operating five service routes and serving nearly 20,000 passengers, with product stability and service professionalism thoroughly validated.

37. CAC released a batch of registration numbers for domestic blockchain information services (15 March)

    CAC released the 14th batch of domestic blockchain information service filing numbers. A total of 247 domestic blockchain information services have been included in this batch, including the China National Offshore Oil Corporation's Energy Blockchain Platform, Shenzhen Stock Exchange Financial Blockchain Platform, and Taxation Blockchain Foundation Platform.

38. CAC held the National Cyber Law Conference in Tianjin to outline priorities in 2024 (28 February).

The CAC held a national conference on the rule of law in cyberspace in Tianjin, summarizing thirty years of development and experiences in cyberspace legal governance, analysing current new circumstances and tasks, and planning the key focuses for 2024. The conference proposed goals to enhance political capabilities, strengthen legal governance coordination, improve legal systems, ensure comprehensive lawful governance, and enhance public legal education on the internet. Moreover, the importance of cyberspace legal governance was emphasized, highlighting its critical role in building a strong cyber nation and setting specific requirements for deepening the construction of the cyberspace legal system, cyberspace legislation, cyberspace legal governance government construction, cyberspace legal governance promotion, and international aspects of cyberspace legal governance.