China's 9 agencies issue opinion on tech-driven commerce and trade
China's Ministry of Commerce and eight other bodies issued an opinion on October 19 to push technology, including AI and big data, across commerce and trade. It matters to Japanese shops selling into China.
Key points
- Nine bodies including the Ministry of Commerce issued the opinion on Oct. 19
- Four priority areas: better goods consumption, more service consumption, smoother commerce and distribution, and future business use cases
- Firms are encouraged to use digital tools for store layout, purchasing, sales and inventory, and to adopt smart logistics and unmanned delivery
Background
According to JETRO, the opinion follows the January 2026 'AI+ Manufacturing' action plan from China's industry ministry and seven other bodies, and aims to speed up building a strong domestic market.
It calls for raising the use of AI and big data to make the whole commerce and trade chain smarter, greener and more integrated.
What it means for shops
As AI use in Chinese retail, logistics and tourism gets policy backing, Japanese businesses selling to China through e-commerce or cross-border deals should expect partners and competitors to digitize further. The report does not describe specific subsidies or regulations.
What shops should do
- Check what digital inventory and logistics upgrades your China-facing partners and channels are making
🔒 2 more action items for subscribers
Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.