China’s Metaverse strategy: innovation and integration

China is making bold strides in the realm of the metaverse with the recent release of its three-year action plan. This strategic roadmap, spanning from 2023 to 2025, is aimed at promoting the innovative development of the metaverse industry. Jointly released by five Chinese ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, this plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for advancing the metaverse landscape.

Integration of Cutting-Edge technologies

One of the central goals of China’s three-year metaverse plan is to strengthen the integration of new-generation information technologies. This integration will encompass artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and virtual reality. By merging these advanced technologies, China aims to create an immersive interconnected space where the digital and physical worlds seamlessly converge.

Key objectives and major tasks

The plan lays out five major tasks to achieve its metaverse vision:

1. Constructing advanced technological and industrial systems: China seeks to build a robust foundation for the metaverse by establishing cutting-edge technological and industrial systems.
2. Fostering a 3D interactive Industrial Metaverse: The plan envisions a metaverse that is not just immersive but also interactive on a three-dimensional scale.
3. Creating immersive and interactive digital life applications: China plans to develop applications that offer immersive digital experiences, revolutionizing various aspects of daily life.
4. Building systematic and complete industrial support: Comprehensive industrial support will be essential to sustain the metaverse’s growth.
5. Establishing a safe and credible industrial governance system: A strong governance framework is crucial to ensure the metaverse operates securely and credibly.

China recognizes that the metaverse represents the future of industry, integrating the innovation and application of new-generation information technologies. It serves as an advanced form that combines the digital and real economy, with the potential to lead the development of the next-generation internet.

Moreover, the metaverse is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating the high-end, intelligent, and green upgrading of manufacturing. This support aligns with China’s broader goal of constructing a modern industrial system in line with global technological advancements.

Driving growth and innovation

Over the course of the three-year plan, China aims to achieve significant breakthroughs in technology, application, and governance within the metaverse industry. The ultimate objective is to make the metaverse a crucial driver of the digital economy, elevating its global stature.

The plan also focuses on cultivating three to five globally influential metaverse enterprises while nurturing new businesses, models, and forms across various sectors, including consumption and public services.

For consumers and tourists alike, the metaverse offers exciting possibilities. Services such as 3D product modeling, digital human guides, digital collections, and extended reality tours can enhance their experiences in unprecedented ways. These innovations align with China’s vision of leveraging the metaverse to reshape everyday interactions.

Long-Term Vision and World Leadership

China’s metaverse plan extends its ambitions beyond the initial three-year period. The long-term vision includes achieving major breakthroughs in core technologies like data flow, content generation, digital twin technology, perception and interaction, as well as network and computing infrastructure. The goal is to establish a world-leading metaverse industrial ecosystem, foster a mature industrial metaverse, and create a sustainable development environment.

China’s three-year strategy for the development of the metaverse industry demonstrates the country’s commitment to innovation and integration. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and virtual reality, China aims to propel the metaverse into a pivotal role in the digital economy. As the plan unfolds, the world will be watching to see how China’s vision for the metaverse evolves and shapes the future of technology and industry.