GUANGZHOU, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — The Haizhu District of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China, has inaugurated an artificial intelligence (AI) development bureau. Established on Dec. 28, 2025, this bureau represents the first district-level government department in China created specifically to coordinate and promote AI development, aimed at fostering the growth of a smart economy.
During the inauguration, Yu Lihui, a representative of the newly formed bureau, emphasized that its establishment is crucial for addressing challenges within the AI industry, including issues of fragmented management, scattered resources, and the absence of strategic coordination. “Establishing the bureau and assigning dedicated personnel will help address potential challenges in the AI industry,” Yu stated.
The Haizhu AI development bureau plans to proactively integrate cutting-edge AI technologies, attract leading enterprises, and nurture specialized companies adept in core technologies. Notably, the district aims to introduce high-value application scenarios across various fields, including fashion design, the low-altitude economy, and intelligent connected vehicles.
Haizhu has laid a solid foundation for AI development, housing Pazhou, one of three major AI industry clusters identified by the Guangdong provincial government. The district has attracted nearly 8,000 AI-related enterprises and has launched over 200 large-scale projects focused on AI models and algorithms. This surge has led to rapid growth in next-generation information technology services within the district for three consecutive years.
Among the enterprises contributing to this AI momentum is ZJTECH, a leading internet platform in the textiles and apparel sector. The company is developing AI applications that are driving digitalization in the supply chain, enabling clients to match fabrics in thousands of categories in under two minutes. Furthermore, with a single click, clients can generate fashion designs tailored to market demand using AI models.
Another notable company, the South China Brain-Computer Interface Technology Co., has developed a brain-computer AI mouse that empowers paralyzed patients to control a virtual mouse without using their hands, allowing them to browse videos and use tablets effectively.
On the same day as the bureau’s inauguration, Haizhu also announced plans for the Pazhou space intelligent computing center, which is expected to establish a 100-petaflop-scale computing cluster in its first phase. This center aims to provide a strong foundation for enterprise innovation and research and development.
Space computing, a cutting-edge technological innovation, deploys computing capacity to satellites, facilitating data processing and collaborative computing through onboard intelligent hardware. This advancement underscores the commitment of local authorities to enhance capabilities in the AI sector.
The establishment of the Haizhu AI development bureau highlights the government’s dedication to the AI industry. Zhang Yaqin, founding dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research at Tsinghua University, remarked that it represents an opportunity to explore innovative solutions for industrial ecosystem development and institutional reform.
The Chinese government has prioritized AI development significantly. In August 2025, the State Council issued a document detailing the deep implementation of the “AI Plus” initiative, with goals for China to lead the integration of AI with six key sectors by 2027. By 2030, AI is anticipated to fully empower high-quality development in China, with the adoption rate of new-generation intelligent terminals and AI-driven applications exceeding 90 percent.
In response to these national objectives, several local governments have begun establishing dedicated AI departments to facilitate industry growth. Wenzhou City in Zhejiang Province took the lead by launching a municipal AI bureau in September 2025, charged with formulating and implementing AI development plans and coordinating construction related to computing power, data, and algorithms.
On Dec. 9, another municipal AI development bureau was inaugurated in Zhuhai, Guangdong. The city is actively progressing with its “cloud intelligent city” strategy, and the new bureau will collaborate with AI enterprises to open high-value application scenarios and implement policies supporting intelligent transformation across various sectors.
Qiu Weiming, deputy secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association, noted that dedicated AI bureaus enable local governments to coordinate resources, enforce development policies, and promote sustainable industry growth. He added that as AI continues to evolve, addressing safety, ethics, and privacy concerns will be critical for the industry’s steady and sustainable development.
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