Digital Governance in China: Trends in Generative AI and Digital Assets

Conference Report

April 4, 2025

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) hosted its third annual conference on Digital Governance in China on November 19, 2024, focusing on the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets. Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, competition in generative AI and large language models has intensified. The conference began with a discussion on the evolving landscape of AI development and governance in China, a topic that has become central to contemporary geopolitics and international governance. The conversation then shifted to a parallel rise in interest surrounding distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain, as well as digital assets more broadly, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and others. In particular, the conference examined digital assets in Hong Kong and the development of CBDCs in mainland China in the global context. Innovation in digital assets is also flourishing in other jurisdictions, including East Asia, India and the Middle East. Looking ahead, significant developments are expected in the United States following the second Trump administration, which is expected to embrace crypto-friendly regulatory and legislative environments.

About the Authors

Xingqiang (Alex) He is a CIGI senior fellow. Alex is an expert on digital governance in China, the Group of Twenty (G20), China and global economic governance, domestic politics in China and their role in China’s foreign economic policy making, and Canada-China economic relations.

S. Yash Kalash is research director of digital economy at CIGI. An expert in strategy, public policy, digital technology and financial services, he has a distinguished track record advising governments and the private sector on emerging technologies.

Paul Samson is president of CIGI. He has 30 years of experience across a range of policy issues with partners from around the world. He is a former senior government official and also served for many years as co-chair of the principal G20 working group on the global economy.