Jurisdiction dossier
Binding sectoral CAC rules in force; no comprehensive horizontal law yet. 5 obligations tracked — 5 in force.
Binding sectoral CAC rules in force; no comprehensive horizontal law yet.
checked 2 Aug 2026 primary source ↗
Binds Deep-synthesis service providers, technical supporters, and users. Conspicuous labelling and consent for synthetic media / deepfakes.
Stated maximum penalty — Rectification, suspension, criminal referral
Binds Providers of public-facing generative AI services in mainland China. Security assessment, algorithm filing and content controls for public-facing GenAI services.
Stated maximum penalty — Rectification, suspension, criminal referral
Binds AI-content service & propagation platforms, app stores, and users. Explicit (visible) and implicit (metadata/watermark) labels on AI-generated content.
Stated maximum penalty — CAC administrative penalties
Binds Developers and deployers of AI agent services in China; mandatory compliance for healthcare, transportation, media, and public safety sectors; guidance-level for others. First national policy framework for AI agents. Mandatory for 19 priority sectors (healthcare, transport, media, public safety): filing, compliance testing, product recall provisions. Establishes three-tier decision authority model. AI-generated content labeling required. Enforceable via existing CSL/DSL/PIPL frameworks.
Published and operative from May 8, 2026 (jointly issued by CAC, NDRC, MIIT). Three-tier decision authority model: decisions requiring human-only authority; decisions requiring user approval; decisions agent may handle autonomously. High-risk sector filing and testing obligations enforceable under Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, PIPL. No standalone penalty regime; enforcement via existing frameworks.
Stated maximum penalty — Enforcement via CSL/DSL/PIPL (no standalone penalties specified)
Binds Providers of anthropomorphic AI interactive services (virtual companions, emotional chatbots, human-like AI) publicly available in mainland China. Dedicated compliance regime for AI companion services, virtual chatbots and emotionally interactive AI; mandates AI-identity disclosure, minor protections, usage-time warnings, and prohibits inducing emotional dependence.
In force 15 Jul 2026.
Stated maximum penalty — CAC administrative penalties; service suspension
CAC GenAI, deep-synthesis & labelling rules is already in force, with obligations live since January 10, 2023. Binding sectoral CAC rules in force; no comprehensive horizontal law yet.
Current obligations bind, among others, Providers of public-facing generative AI services in mainland China; AI-content service & propagation platforms, app stores, and users. Scope and thresholds vary per instrument — see each row's source for the legal text.
Stated statutory maxima include: CAC GenAI Interim Measures — Rectification, suspension, criminal referral; CAC AI-Labelling Measures — CAC administrative penalties. These are the maximum amounts in the instruments; actual enforcement is at the regulator's discretion.
Not legal advice. Each obligation links to its primary source and carries the date it was last checked; verify the legal text before relying on it.