China has proposed building a national blockchain network under a new policy plan designed to link digital technology with the broader economy. The proposal appears in a policy document containing 19 measures that Chinese authorities released on October 9, as reported by Xinhua.

The document also calls for a nationwide computing power network and revisions to the rules governing data ownership and trading. Officials want businesses to adopt digital systems while a more organized market for data takes shape.

National Blockchain and Computing Networks

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council placed the blockchain proposal within a broader program for industrial and technology development. The policy calls for a national blockchain network alongside an integrated computing power network, and authorities also plan to improve national data infrastructure and its daily operation. Joint issuance by the Party's Central Committee and the State Council places the plan in China's top tier of policy documents, the same channel through which the country's leadership sets economic and technology priorities.

The document does not provide a launch date, a budget, or technical details for the proposed blockchain network. It also leaves open how government bodies and businesses would gain access to the network in practice. Follow-up implementation rules would be the first indicator of how the network would be built and who could use it.

The same measures cover manufacturing upgrades and wider use of industrial internet systems. China plans to advance its East Data, West Computing program, which directs computing resources toward western regions. Officials also want companies to adopt smart manufacturing tools and expand production that relies on digital technology. The policy calls for digital industry clusters capable of competing internationally, with support for both technology providers and the manufacturers adopting their services.

Data Ownership and Trading Rules

The policy also seeks clearer rules for data ownership, market transactions, and the distribution of benefits from data use. It directs authorities to strengthen protections for participants in the data economy and calls for trials that treat data as an economic resource, testing how organizations can exchange or use defined rules.

Separately, the document calls for an open, shared, and secure national data market. Authorities also intend to develop mechanisms for cross-border data transfers while maintaining security controls.

These proposals concern the movement and commercial use of data rather than cryptocurrency trading. China has not announced detailed operating rules for the blockchain network or explained how it would connect with the proposed data market.

Banks Explore Blockchain Use as Digital Yuan Network Grows

Chinese financial authorities have already encouraged blockchain applications in banking. In April, the State Administration of Taxation and the National Financial Regulatory Administration urged banks to improve tax-data sharing with businesses and government agencies, naming blockchain technology as a tool for exchanging information. The agencies also encouraged better credit assessment and loan processes for smaller companies that comply with tax requirements.

China has continued expanding its digital yuan system through separate banking measures. On August 17, the People's Bank of China approved eight additional operators, bringing the network's total to 30 approved banking operators. The new participants included Ping An Bank, Bank of Shanghai, and Bank of Hangzhou. Each institution must complete the necessary business and technical preparations before offering customer services. In both cases, the technology is being channeled through licensed banks that regulators directly oversee. The digital yuan expansion and the proposed blockchain network remain separate initiatives.

Cross-Border Projects Continue Under Crypto Restrictions

Provincial authorities are also weighing new uses for the digital yuan. In August, Guangdong proposed cross-border payment trials in its free trade zone development plan covering 2026 through 2030. The draft covers offshore finance, supply chain financing, and accounts that support multiple currencies. Officials sought public feedback before finalizing the regional plan, so the final scope of the trials could still change.

China continues to restrict cryptocurrency activity despite its support for blockchain infrastructure. In February, regulators reinforced controls over virtual currency businesses, mining, and certain tokenized products.