Country tracker · Asia-Pacific · 40 countries, one method
AI in China
How far China has come on AI, and how complete its AI rulebook is: two scores, six lenses, every law linked to its official text.
17.5% of people aged 15–64 used a generative AI product in Q2 2026, up from 15.4% in H1 2025; #67 of the 147 economies Microsoft tracks. Its strongest lens is Research (#2 of 40) and its weakest Adoption (#7). On AI law, separate binding rules for recommendation algorithms, deepfakes, generative AI and labelling, enforced by one regulator.
#2 of 40 on Progress84/100 Rulebook9 verified laws and rulesChecked 21 Oct 2026
In the Record’s memory16 dated events since January 2023, by month and kind. Darker means busier; choose a square to see those events.
See all 16 in the ledger →China through six lenses
How the scores work →The same six lenses, in the same order, on every country page. Each shows its lead number, the rank among the countries the source covers, and every indicator behind the lens score. 10 of 17 indicators measure China.
01Adoption#7 of 40
How widely are people and firms using AI?
17.5%
share of people aged 15–64 who used generative AI, Q2 2026
H1 2025Q2 2026Lens score56
- AI user shareQ2 2026 · Microsoft AI Diffusion17.5%#67 of 147
- Use AI at work2025 · University of Melbourne and KPMG International88%#2 of 47
- AI job postings2025 · Lightcast—not measured
- AI literacy index2025 · LinkedIn—source does not cover it
02Talent
Does it have, and keep, the people?
—
No source measures this lens for it yet
Lens score—
- AI talent share2025 · LinkedIn—source does not cover it
- AI skill penetration2015–2025 · LinkedIn—source does not cover it
- Top AI authors2025 · Zeki Data—source does not cover it
- AI authors per 100k2025 · Zeki Data—source does not cover it
- AI talent net flow2025 · LinkedIn—source does not cover it
03Research#2 of 40
Does it build AI and its science?
160
notable AI models, 2003–2025
Lens score83
- Notable models2003–2025 · Epoch AI160#2 of 33
- AI patents per 100k2024 · AI Index6.95#3 of 15
04Investment#2 of 40
Is private money flowing in?
$12.4B
private AI investment, 2025
Lens score74
- Private AI investment2025 · Quid$12.4B#2 of 15
- Investment since 20132013–2025 · Quid$131.8B#2 of 15
- New AI companies2025 · Quid1,766#2 of 15
05Infrastructure#2 of 40
Does it have the machines?
109,411
H100-equivalents of known AI supercomputer capacity in operation, Oct 2026
Lens score83
- AI computeOct 2026 · Epoch AI GPU Clusters109,411#2 of 33
- Data centres2025 · Cloudscene449#4 of 97
- Robots installed2024 · International Federation of Robotics (IFR)295k#1 of 10
06Laws#8 of 40 verified
How complete and binding is its AI rulebook?
84/100
Rulebook score · Binding rules by use case
Rulebook84
- Binding laws and rules in forceverified8
- Items in the law registerverified9
- AI laws passed, 2016–2025G20 only · AI Index1
- Governance initiatives endorsed2019–2025 · AI Index3of 8
AI law in China
How to check a law →China regulates AI through binding CAC service rules plus an AI article in the Cybersecurity Law; a comprehensive AI law is on the 2026 legislative plan but no draft is public.
Binding rules by use caseSeparate binding rules for recommendation algorithms, deepfakes, generative AI and labelling, enforced by one regulator.
- In forceRegulation · bindingAdopted 10 Apr 2026 · In force from 15 Jul 2026
Interim Measures for the Administration of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction Services (CAC/NDRC/MIIT/MPS/SAMR Order No. 21)
AI companion services: no virtual partner/relative services to minors, guardian consent under 14, AI-disclosure and 2-hour usage reminders, security assessment at 1m registered or 100k monthly active users, algorithm filing.
Penalty RMB 10,000-100,000 and suspension in serious cases - In forceLaw · bindingAdopted 28 Oct 2025 · In force from 1 Jan 2026
Decision of the NPCSC on Amending the Cybersecurity Law (Presidential Order No. 61), adding Article 20 on AI
First AI provision in national statute: state support for AI research, data and compute infrastructure, ethics rules, AI risk monitoring and safety supervision; also higher penalties and wider extraterritorial reach.
Penalty penalties raised across the law (amounts vary by violation) - In forceRegulation · bindingAdopted 14 Mar 2025 · In force from 1 Sep 2025
Measures for Labelling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content
Explicit labels on AI text, audio, images, video and virtual scenes plus implicit metadata labels; platforms must check metadata and flag content; app stores must check labelling; ban on removing or forging labels.
Penalty per underlying laws (CSL, DSL, PIPL) - In forceStandard · bindingAdopted 28 Feb 2025 · In force from 1 Sep 2025
GB 45438-2025 Cybersecurity Technology - Labelling Method for Content Generated by AI (mandatory national standard)
Mandatory technical format for explicit and implicit (metadata) labels used by generation and distribution service providers; companion to the Labelling Measures.
- In forceStrategy · not bindingAdopted 21 Aug 2025 · In force from 26 Aug 2025
State Council Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus' Initiative (Guofa [2025] No. 11)
Six action areas; targets of over 70% adoption of AI terminals and agents by 2027 and over 90% by 2030; NDRC coordinates.
- In forceRegulation · bindingAdopted 10 Jul 2023 · In force from 15 Aug 2023
Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services
Covers public-facing generative AI in China: lawful training data and IP, content controls, labelling of images/video, user data protection, security assessment and algorithm filing for services with public-opinion attributes.
Penalty per CSL, DSL and PIPL; suspension of service in serious cases - In forceRegulation · bindingAdopted 25 Nov 2022 · In force from 10 Jan 2023
Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services (CAC/MIIT/MPS Order No. 12)
Real-name verification, review of inputs and outputs, labelling of synthetic content, separate consent for face/voice editing, algorithm filing for deep synthesis services.
Penalty per underlying laws (CSL, DSL, PIPL) - In forceRegulation · bindingAdopted 31 Dec 2021 · In force from 1 Mar 2022
Provisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendation in Internet Information Services (CAC/MIIT/MPS/SAMR Order No. 9)
Algorithm filing within 10 working days for services with public-opinion or social-mobilisation attributes, security assessment, opt-out of personalised recommendation, bans on manipulating rankings and unfair price discrimination.
Penalty warning, rectification; RMB 10,000-100,000 and suspension of updates in serious cases - In forceLaw · bindingAdopted 20 Aug 2021 · In force from 1 Nov 2021
Personal Information Protection Law (2021), Article 24 on automated decision-making
Automated decision-making must be transparent and fair with no unreasonable differential treatment on prices or terms; personalised push and marketing must offer a non-personalised option or easy opt-out; individuals may demand an explanation of, and refuse, solely automated decisions with a major effect on their rights. Art. 55 requires a prior impact assessment.
Penalty up to RMB 1m if not corrected; in serious cases up to RMB 50m or 5% of the previous year's turnover, plus suspension or licence revocation (Art. 66)
The Rulebook score, line by line
What each line means →84 of 100. Each line names the law or body that earns its points.
- Binding AI rulesAn AI law with enforceable duties on companies applies now · Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services35/35
- A national AI strategy, adopted or updated since 2022State Council Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus'…8/8
- A body named to oversee or enforce AI rulesSee Institutions6/6
- An AI safety or evaluation instituteSee Institutions6/6
- A right to challenge automated decisions, in forcePersonal Information Protection Law (2021), Article 24 on automated…12/12
- Rules on AI-generated content: labels or deepfake offences, in forceMeasures for Labelling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content13/13
- International AI governance initiatives endorsed (of 8)3 of 8. Source: AI governance initiatives by country4.5/12
- Council of Europe AI Convention: signed 5, ratified 8Not signed0/8
The record
What gets an entry →Every dated step: laws adopted and coming into force, and each reading of AI use. Newest first; future dates are marked.
- 15 Jul 2026LawsInterim Measures for the Administration of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction… came into force
- 30 Jun 2026AdoptionAI user share reached 17.5%, from 16.4% in Q1 2026Share of people aged 15–64 who used a generative AI product, Q2 2026.
- 10 Apr 2026LawsInterim Measures for the Administration of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction… adoptedAI companion services: no virtual partner/relative services to minors, guardian consent under 14, AI-disclosure and 2-hour usage reminders, security assessment at 1m registered or 100k monthly active users, algorithm fil…
- 31 Mar 2026AdoptionAI user share reached 16.4%, from 16.3% in H2 2025Share of people aged 15–64 who used a generative AI product, Q1 2026.
- 1 Jan 2026LawsDecision of the NPCSC on Amending the Cybersecurity Law (Presidential Order… came into force
- 31 Dec 2025AdoptionAI user share reached 16.3%, from 15.4% in H1 2025Share of people aged 15–64 who used a generative AI product, H2 2025.
- 28 Oct 2025LawsDecision of the NPCSC on Amending the Cybersecurity Law (Presidential Order… adoptedFirst AI provision in national statute: state support for AI research, data and compute infrastructure, ethics rules, AI risk monitoring and safety supervision; also higher penalties and wider extraterritorial reach.
- 1 Sep 2025LawsMeasures for Labelling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content came into force
- 1 Sep 2025LawsGB 45438-2025 Cybersecurity Technology - Labelling Method for Content… came into force
- 26 Aug 2025LawsState Council Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus'… came into force
- 21 Aug 2025LawsState Council Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the 'AI Plus'… adoptedSix action areas; targets of over 70% adoption of AI terminals and agents by 2027 and over 90% by 2030; NDRC coordinates.
- 14 Mar 2025LawsMeasures for Labelling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content adoptedExplicit labels on AI text, audio, images, video and virtual scenes plus implicit metadata labels; platforms must check metadata and flag content; app stores must check labelling; ban on removing or forging labels.
- 28 Feb 2025LawsGB 45438-2025 Cybersecurity Technology - Labelling Method for Content… adoptedMandatory technical format for explicit and implicit (metadata) labels used by generation and distribution service providers; companion to the Labelling Measures.
- 15 Aug 2023LawsInterim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services came into force
- 10 Jul 2023LawsInterim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services adoptedCovers public-facing generative AI in China: lawful training data and IP, content controls, labelling of images/video, user data protection, security assessment and algorithm filing for services with public-opinion attri…
- 10 Jan 2023LawsProvisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information… came into force
- 25 Nov 2022LawsProvisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information… adoptedReal-name verification, review of inputs and outputs, labelling of synthetic content, separate consent for face/voice editing, algorithm filing for deep synthesis services.
- 1 Mar 2022LawsProvisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendation in Internet… came into force
- 31 Dec 2021LawsProvisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendation in Internet… adoptedAlgorithm filing within 10 working days for services with public-opinion or social-mobilisation attributes, security assessment, opt-out of personalised recommendation, bans on manipulating rankings and unfair price disc…
- 1 Nov 2021LawsPersonal Information Protection Law (2021), Article 24 on automated… came into force
- 20 Aug 2021LawsPersonal Information Protection Law (2021), Article 24 on automated… adoptedAutomated decision-making must be transparent and fair with no unreasonable differential treatment on prices or terms; personalised push and marketing must offer a non-personalised option or easy opt-out; individuals may…
How people in China see AI
Public opinion on AI →Survey results, not scored. They show the mood that new AI rules land in.
China beside its peers
All 40 countries →The two Progress leaders and the countries nearest to China in its region. A dash means no source measures that lens for the country.
Progressfive lenses, 0–10074#277#153#451#649#841#11
Adoptionlens score565677723923
Talentlens score—5265613118
Researchlens score838949177553
Investmentlens score7410050585149
Infrastructurelens score838827475062
Rulebook0–100847440348957
AI user shareQ2 2026 · Microsoft17.5%33.0%64.3%18.5%40.6%24.7%
Approach to AI lawBinding rules by use caseState laws, no federal AI statuteExisting regulators, no AI statuteExisting regulators, no AI statuteComprehensive AI lawPromotion law, no penalties
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Every country →India51Progress34RulebookExisting regulators, no AI statuteOpen tracker →South Korea49Progress89RulebookComprehensive AI lawOpen tracker →Japan41Progress57RulebookPromotion law, no penaltiesOpen tracker →Taiwan18Progress53RulebookPromotion law, no penaltiesOpen tracker →Vietnam10Progress43RulebookComprehensive AI lawOpen tracker →
Malaysia10Progress11RulebookStrategy and guidance
Singapore53Progress40RulebookExisting regulators, no AI statuteOpen tracker →Indonesia13Progress36RulebookStrategy and guidanceOpen tracker →Australia37Progress44RulebookExisting regulators, no AI statuteOpen tracker →New Zealand11Progress14RulebookStrategy and guidanceOpen tracker →Check AI-law news yourself
All our data sources →Every law on these pages links to its official text and to an independent check. These are the registers and trackers we use, with what each is good for. A headline about a new AI law is real when the official register shows it.
Official registers8
- EUR-LexOfficial EU law: the AI Act and its amendments
- Council of Europe Treaty OfficeSignatures and ratifications of the AI Convention (CETS 225)
- Federal RegisterUS executive orders and agency rules
- Congress.govUS federal bills and their status
- legislation.gov.ukUK Acts and statutory instruments
- Cyberspace Administration of ChinaChina's AI rules and the generative AI filing register
- e-Gov JapanJapanese statutes, including the AI Promotion Act
- Korea Law Information CenterKorean statutes, including the AI Basic Act
Law and policy trackers4
- OECD.AI Policy Navigator (formerly National AI Policies & Strategies database; GAIIN)OECDNational AI policy initiatives (strategies, governance bodies, funding, regulation) by jurisdictionUse it for Use as primary verification source for 'national AI strategy exists / date' and governance bodies; link each country page to its OECD.AI country profile
- IAPP Global AI Law and Policy TrackerIAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)AI laws, policies, national strategies and responsible authorities per jurisdictionUse it for Cite as a secondary legal cross-check; link out; do not reproduce
- Council of Europe Framework Convention (CETS 225) treaty chartCouncil of Europe Treaty Office · Live chart (see coe_convention block)Signature and ratification status of the first binding international AI treatyUse it for Primary source for a 'CoE AI Convention: signed / ratified' field per country
- Digital Policy AlertDigital Policy Alert (St.Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade) · ContinuousEvent-level tracker of digital policy changes incl. AI rules, by jurisdictionUse it for Use as verification source for law-stage changes; model aiadoption.org's country timeline on its event structure
Country indices11
- Stanford HAI AI Index Report + Global AI Vibrancy ToolStanford Institute for Human-Centered AIAnnual state-of-AI report; Vibrancy Tool ranks national AI ecosystems (R&D, economy, policy, talent, infrastructure, public opinion, etc.)Use it for Reuse individual underlying indicators (with attribution) rather than the composite; link to Vibrancy Tool for each covered country
- Tortoise Global AI IndexTortoise MediaNational AI capacity: investment, innovation, implementationUse it for Link out and quote rank with attribution only; do not reuse scores
- Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2025Oxford InsightsWhether governments can harness AI for the public goodUse it for Cite as a verification source for governance/policy-capacity; reuse rank with attribution for countries lacking other data
- Microsoft Global AI Diffusion Report (AI user share)Microsoft (AI Economy Institute / On the Issues)AI user share: % of working-age population (15-64) using generative AI products in the periodUse it for Reuse the per-country AI user share as the core 'adoption' metric with attribution and vintage label; flag method breaks
- IMF AI Preparedness Index (AIPI)International Monetary Fund · June 2024 (released 25 June 2024); no later update foundMacro-structural readiness to adopt AIUse it for Use as background 'structural readiness' component only; label vintage 2024
- Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI)Global Center on AI GovernanceGovernment commitments and implementation evidence for responsible AIUse it for Cite as verification source for responsible-AI governance; adopt its framework-vs-implementation distinction in aiadoption.org's law status pills
- AI Safety / Security Institutes network (NAAIMES)Member governments; UK AI Security Institute as coordinatorMembership of the international network of AI safety/evaluation institutesUse it for Field 'has national AI evaluation institute (year)' per country; see safety_institutes block
- Carnegie Endowment (AI governance research, e.g. China AI safety institute work)Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · Ongoing researchQualitative country analysis of AI governanceUse it for Cite for country narrative paragraphs
- Brookings: How are countries evaluating AI models?Brookings Institution · Article (date not confirmed)Comparative analysis of national AI evaluation institutesUse it for Cite in safety-institute methodology notes
- Anthropic Economic Index - geographic report (Anthropic AI Usage Index)AnthropicClaude usage per capita relative to working-age population by country (AUI), plus task mixUse it for Use as secondary adoption metric beside Microsoft; triangulate, never sole sourceLink not yet opened by us
- Epoch AI dataEpoch AI · ContinuousNotable models, training compute, GPU clusters/data centres by countryUse it for Reuse 'notable models by country' and 'AI supercomputers by country' with attributionLink not yet opened by us
Research and safety4
- CSET (Center for Security and Emerging Technology)Georgetown University · OngoingData-driven research on AI talent, investment, compute, policy (incl. ETO tools such as AGORA AI governance document set)Use it for Cite AGORA for law-text links; reuse open datasets with attributionLink not yet opened by us
- International AI Safety ReportExpert panel chaired by Yoshua Bengio, UK-backed secretariat · 2026 edition expected/early 2026 (not verified)Scientific synthesis of general-purpose AI capabilities and risksUse it for Cite in methodology for why safety institutes/evaluation capacity are scored; list which countries sit on the panelLink not yet opened by us
- Our World in Data - Artificial IntelligenceOur World in Data (Global Change Data Lab) · ContinuousCharts republishing AI data (investment, models, patents, public opinion) by countryUse it for Model chart UX on OWID; reuse CC BY datasets with attributionLink not yet opened by us
- Artificial AnalysisArtificial Analysis · ContinuousModel benchmarks, price and speed; includes model origin by countryUse it for Use for 'frontier models produced by country' cross-check; citeLink not yet opened by us
How the scores work
Two scores, never added together. Download every score and indicator (CSV).
Progress, 0–100
- Five lenses, same for everyone. Adoption, Talent, Research, Investment and Infrastructure. Each lens is the average of its indicators; Progress is the average of the lenses.
- Only published numbers. Each indicator is a chart on AI Adoption with its source and CSV, or a public dataset linked on the page (Microsoft AI Diffusion, Epoch AI GPU Clusters).
- Scaled so outliers do not swamp the rest. Money, models and compute use a log scale on which the leader scores 100; shares and rates use the range of countries the source covers.
- Gaps stay gaps. A source that does not cover a country leaves a dash, never a guess. A country below a source's top-15 list scores 0 on that indicator, and the page says so. The coverage flag shows how many of the 17 indicators measure the country.
Rulebook, 0–100
How complete and binding a country's AI rules are. It does not grade whether the rules are good, strict or lenient. Points come only from laws we have verified against an official source.
Binding AI rulesup to 35
- An AI law with enforceable duties on companies applies now35
- Enforceable rules on AI systems apply, but only in part of the country26
- An AI law with enforceable duties is enacted; its duties start later26
- A national AI law is in force, but it sets no penalties for companies20
- An AI bill or official draft is before the legislature or out for consultation10
- No AI-specific law, bill or official draft0
Institutions, safeguards, international65
- A national AI strategy, adopted or updated since 20228
- A body named to oversee or enforce AI rules6
- An AI safety or evaluation institute6
- A right to challenge automated decisions, in force12
- Rules on AI-generated content: labels or deepfake offences, in force13
- International AI governance initiatives endorsed (of 8)12
- Council of Europe AI Convention: signed 5, ratified 88
Disclosure: AI Adoption uses AI tools in its research and editorial work. No government, company or lobby group has any say in a country's scores or its law register, and the same rules apply to every country. Editorial standards · Data sources · Corrections