EP.6 China’s Core AI Governance Institutions

A multi-level AI governance system shared by state, technical, and research actors.

I categorize China’s AI governance ecosystem into four main groups:
(1) State organs,
(2) Technical standardization bodies,
(3) legislative authorities,
(4) Research Network & Expert Community.

This post compiles the key institutions within each group and outlines their respective roles. It will be continuously updated as new developments emerge in China’s evolving AI regulatory landscape.

State

Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission / Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)

The dominant force in China's AI safety governance. This body holds dual identities: as a Party organ (Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission) and as a state administrative body (Cyberspace Administration of China). It is the core institution regulating generative AI, algorithmic recommendation systems, and content compliance. Its authority stems not only from technical capabilities but also from its direct connection to the Communist Party's central leadership. In the realm of generative AI, the CAC spearheaded the "Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" and is responsible for implementing the algorithmic registration system. It exemplifies China’s emphasis on "controllability" and "guidance," standing at the intersection of ideological control and technical regulation.

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)

MIIT is the main body promoting the industrialization and standardization of AI technologies in China. Its focus lies not in political sensitivity or ethics, but in integrating AI into the national industrial system. It has led the release of strategies on intelligent manufacturing, internet of vehicles, domestic chip development, and AI-empowered industries. Recently, MIIT has also joined regulatory discussions regarding model compliance, particularly in areas such as model evaluation and computing infrastructure.

National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)

NDRC serves as China's top-level macroeconomic planner. It regards AI as part of the country’s "new productive forces" and a key strategic emerging industry. It is responsible for large-scale development programs and regional innovation pilots, such as the establishment of AI innovation zones. In cross-ministry policy coordination, the NDRC often acts as a resource allocator but is less involved in the technical or safety aspects of AI regulation.

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

MOST is the central authority on AI ethics and scientific research governance. It established the National Governance Committee for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence and led the release of China’s AI ethical guidelines. MOST serves as a provider of "public legitimacy," offering internationally presentable frameworks for AI ethics. Additionally, it oversees the distribution of national research funds for basic AI science and major technology initiatives.

Ministry of Education

Though not directly involved in regulation, the Ministry of Education shapes the AI governance landscape through its influence on talent cultivation. In recent years, it has promoted AI curriculum in higher education, supported the founding of AI colleges at top universities, and encouraged integration between academia and industry. Given that many of China’s leading model labs (e.g., Tsinghua AIR, Peking University Zhipu) are university-based, the ministry’s policies profoundly affect the R&D ecosystem.

Example: Generative AI Regulation (2023)

The "Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" implemented in July 2023 exemplify China’s multi-agency approach to AI regulation. The policy was jointly issued by seven central government bodies:

• The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) led the drafting to ensure political alignment and content safety.

• The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) aligned the policy with national digital infrastructure and innovation goals.

• The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) contributed technical norms concerning training data, model development, and computing resources.

• The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) incorporated ethical governance frameworks.

• The Ministry of Education focused on AI talent and educational integration.

• The Ministry of Public Security addressed security risks such as deepfakes and fraud.

• The National Radio and Television Administration ensured generated content aligned with national media and cultural standards.

Technical Standardization & Regulatory Implementation

1. State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)

SAMR is China’s top market regulator and plays a foundational role in AI governance. Though it doesn’t directly regulate algorithms or models, it serves as the institutional hub for China’s national standardization system, overseeing quality compliance, product testing, and certification systems. This provides an administrative foundation for embedding technical standards into regulation.

Standardization Administration of China (SAC)

SAC, under SAMR, is responsible for organizing and issuing national (GB) and industry standards. It does not create standards directly but operates through technical committees (TCs). In AI, the most relevant committee is TC28.

TC28 and SC42 (AI Subcommittee)

TC28 is China’s primary technical committee for information technology standards. Its AI Subcommittee, SC42, established in 2020, mirrors the international ISO/IEC SC42 group. SC42 is responsible for drafting standards on model evaluation, training data quality, explainability, and security. Its members come from government labs, universities, tech firms, and certification agencies. Draft standards must be reviewed by SAC before becoming official national or recommended standards.

2. Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)

Though CAC does not draft technical standards, it enforces regulatory requirements related to algorithmic filing, safety assessment, and content compliance. In practice, it often relies on standards produced by MIIT and SAC to determine whether a model is "compliant."

3. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)

As the technical lead, MIIT not only co-drafts standards but also issues recommended technical norms and industry reference documents. Through pilot programs and test platforms, MIIT promotes implementation of model evaluation, data audit, and security safeguards. It is central in translating policy into technical rules.

AI Standards Committee (MIIT/TC1, est. 2025)

In January 2025, MIIT launched a new dedicated AI Standards Committee, potentially referred to as MIIT/TC1. This committee is separate from TC28 and may take a more engineering-oriented approach, focusing on practical implementation of safety testing, deployment protocols, and compliance tools. SC42 may retain its role in international-facing standard alignment, while TC1 covers domestic enforcement and technical operations.

4. Ministry of Public Security

Though not a standards-maker, the Ministry of Public Security plays an important role in AI enforcement. Its focus lies in misuse cases such as fraud, identity theft, deepfake videos, and network manipulation. In some regions, the ministry has worked with CAC to investigate AI-related criminal behavior. Its involvement in biometric and surveillance use cases is expected to deepen.

National People’s Congress: Legislative Foundation

AI-specific legislation in China falls under the authority of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission. Though no AI Act exists yet, the NPC has passed three foundational laws for digital governance:

• Cybersecurity Law (2017): Defines basic boundaries for data flows and infrastructure protection;

• Data Security Law (2021): Establishes classification and graded protection of data;

• Personal Information Protection Law (2021): Addresses automated decision-making, data minimization, and user rights.

Together, these form a legal shield for AI governance, especially around platform liability and user rights.

Research Network & Expert Community

China AI Safety and Development Association (CNAISDA)

The China AI Safety and Development Association (CNAISDA) is a strategic alliance of leading Chinese AI research institutions. It is not a formal government agency, lacks a board or administrative hierarchy, but includes many of the most influential government-affiliated think tanks and laboratories. CNAISDA functions as China’s de facto hub for AI safety discourse and international engagement.

1. Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI)

BAAI promotes academic-industry collaboration and long-term foundational AI research. It hosts annual international conferences and has a focus on the long-term societal impact of AI.

2. China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)

A think tank under MIIT, CAICT leads algorithmic registration, infrastructure security, and national policy drafting. It frequently serves as China’s representative in international standardization bodies.

3. China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID)

Also under MIIT, CCID focuses on AI development roadmaps, technology maturity assessments, and industry compliance. It connects policy design with industry implementation.

4. Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASIA)

Founded in 1956, CASIA is one of China’s earliest institutions in intelligent systems research. As part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it contributes foundational work in safe and explainable AI.

5. Peking University

One of China’s most prestigious universities, Peking University has strong AI research teams working on ethics, governance, and societal impacts.

6. Shanghai AI Laboratory (SAIL)

A national-level lab focused on frontier AI deployment. It hosts projects on ethics and alignment and has a research team working on AGI-related risks.

7. QiZhi Institute

Founded by Turing Award winner Andrew Yao, QiZhi Institute works on cutting-edge quantum computing and AI safety research.

8. Tsinghua University

Tsinghua is a leader in both AI technology and strategy. Its Center for Strategic and Security Studies is one of the most important policy think tanks shaping China's international AI governance posture.