On 10 October 2026, China's National Development and Reform Commission published a Q&A with a responsible official on the Central Committee and State Council 'Opinions on Developing New Quality Productive Forces'. Asked why the document highlights full implementation of the AI+ initiative, the NDRC gives three reasons. First, AI is described as the strategic technology leading a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation in the digital-economy era, and China should use its complete industrial system, large market and rich application scenarios to create a loop in which innovation drives application and application drives innovation. Second, AI is called the core support for new-quality productive forces and a modern industrial system, spawning new tracks such as self-driving, humanoid robots, autonomous drones, brain-computer interfaces and smart terminals while also upgrading traditional industry. Third, breaking through and commercialising AI at scale is framed as a long-term, complex systems project: basic research and core technology, self-controlled and interoperable hardware and software, more computing facilities, better use of data and talent, deep integration with every sector, and stronger laws and ethics rules alongside a technology-monitoring, risk-warning and emergency-response system to keep AI safe, reliable and controllable.
Our takeThe notable thing is where the state puts itself. Of the three reasons, only the third lists government work; the first two are about demand — market, scenarios, industry. So the AI+ plan reads as a deployment programme, not an invention programme. For builders, China's near-term edge looks like rollout, and the pilot bases and computing network are the places to watch.