China to speed up legislation on development of AI, low-altitude economy: official

China announced plans to speed up legislation for artificial intelligence (AI) and the low-altitude economy during a press conference on Wednesday. Vice Minister of Justice Wu Zeng stated that the nation will prioritize comprehensive AI legislation and laws for the low-altitude economy as part of its 2026 legislative agenda, aiming to support technological innovation and build a strong science-based country. The revised Cybersecurity Law, effective January 1, now includes AI-related provisions, aligning with the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law. Key challenges in AI regulation include ethical standards, algorithmic discrimination, and data security, according to economist Li Changan from the University of International Business and Economics. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has established a low-altitude safety department, the second national-level body dedicated to the sector after the low-altitude economy department launched by the National Development and Reform Commission in December 2024. These moves are seen as foundational for long-term, standardized growth in China’s low-altitude economy. Other legislative priorities include unified national market rules to eliminate barriers and administrative regulations for water supply safety, medicine supervision, housing security, medical care, and road transportation. China will also improve foreign-related legislation, revising customs and foreign labor cooperation laws to expand institutional openness while safeguarding national sovereignty and interests. The push for legislation reflects China’s growing reliance on technology for economic development and its commitment to institutional support for innovation.