China's Nine Departments Issue Guidelines to Accelerate Tech-Empowered Commerce

The Ministry of Commerce and eight other Chinese departments have issued an opinion on accelerating technology-driven commerce, setting out a coordinated push to upgrade goods consumption, expand services consumption, improve circulation efficiency and encourage scenario-integrated innovation. The guideline calls for raising the application level of new technologies—including artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, blockchain, digital twins and embodied intelligence—across the commerce sector. It aims to promote smart, green and integrated development throughout the entire trade chain, from production and distribution to consumption. According to the opinion, these measures will provide strong support for building a robust domestic market. The policy signals Beijing’s intent to use digital and embodied AI technologies to modernize retail, logistics and related services while stimulating consumer demand. The opinion is part of broader efforts to boost domestic demand and modernize the distribution system.