TL;DR
- China has set 2030 as its target for substantially completing a national blockchain network under its new five-year digital development plan.
- The government will promote blockchain adoption in trade, finance, manufacturing, and agriculture, with specific initiatives planned for different regions of the country.
- The plan also calls for stronger technical standards and greater use of blockchain technology for data exchange.
China announced plans to substantially complete its national blockchain infrastructure by 2030, according to the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Informatization, published by the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission.
The document outlines the government’s digital development priorities for the next five years and calls for greater blockchain integration into commercial, financial, and industrial activities.
The initiative was already included in the national development plan released in March. Subsequently, on October 9, the Communist Party’s central leadership and the State Council issued a joint policy calling for further progress in building this infrastructure.
China to Expand Blockchain Adoption in Trade and Industry
The plan identifies several regions where specific applications of the technology will be promoted.
In the Yangtze River Delta, authorities aim to expand blockchain adoption in trade and finance. The region is one of China’s main economic hubs, with extensive industrial and commercial activity.
In southwestern China, the Chengdu-Chongqing region is expected to move toward large-scale blockchain deployment in manufacturing and agriculture.
The document also calls for improvements to technical blockchain standards and greater use of the technology to facilitate the circulation and exchange of data.
These measures are among the digital development priorities established by Chinese authorities, although the published plan does not specify a budget for completing the national network.
Cryptocurrency Restrictions Remain in Place
The Chinese government continues to distinguish between blockchain development and cryptocurrency-related commercial activities.
Commercial activities involving crypto assets remain prohibited in mainland China, while authorities promote blockchain applications in productive industries, financial services, and data infrastructure.
This policy dates back to 2019, when President Xi Jinping called for faster blockchain adoption and increased investment in the technology’s development.
The new plan now sets 2030 as the deadline for substantially completing the national network and identifies specific regional applications to expand its use across the Chinese economy.
