Six-Ministry Initiative Reshapes China's Platform Economy: AI and Blockchain Set to Transform Consumer Commerce

China is making a strategic move to realign how consumer goods flow through its economy. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in coordination with five other national departments, has unveiled a comprehensive framework designed to synchronize supply and demand dynamics in the consumer market and unlock fresh consumption potential across the country.

The policy blueprint prioritizes the sophisticated development of digital-first retail models. Live-streaming commerce, rapid delivery retail, curated shopping experiences, and circular economy platforms are all positioned as core pillars for future market growth. This structured approach signals strong institutional backing for platform enterprises to innovate within China’s digital commerce landscape.

Technology as an Enabler

The initiative explicitly encourages platform operators to harness artificial intelligence for sophisticated user profiling and intelligent product-service matching. Beyond AI, the framework opens doors for immersive technologies—virtual reality, blockchain infrastructure, and metaverse ecosystems—to create richly layered shopping experiences that go far beyond traditional e-commerce. These technological integrations represent a significant policy endorsement for Web3 and immersive tech applications in mainstream commerce.

Market Activation Through Brand Quality

Platform enterprises are now incentivized to launch brand elevation campaigns that drive consumer engagement. The policy framework recognizes that quality assurance and brand positioning are central to sustained consumption growth in the digital age.

Strengthened Platform Accountability

The six-department coordination underscores a critical shift: platforms must now assume greater responsibility for ecosystem integrity. The mandate includes rigorous vetting of merchant credentials, comprehensive product information verification, and expedited dispute resolution mechanisms. This balanced approach aims to build consumer trust while maintaining platform innovation at the heart of China’s digital economic transformation.