China’s Generative AI Users Hit 515 million, Doubling in Six Months

China’s generative AI user base reached 515 million by June 2025, representing a 36.5% adoption rate and doubling the number of users in just six months.

The rapid expansion was driven by advanced digital infrastructure, state-backed initiatives, and the government’s comprehensive AI Plus policy released in August. The policy aims to integrate AI across all major economic sectors, targeting 70% penetration by 2027 and more than 90% by 2030 in fields spanning science, industry, public governance, and consumer applications.

Over 90% of Chinese users rely primarily on domestic AI models, as international platforms like OpenAI and Google DeepMind remain officially blocked. Leading Chinese generative AI platforms include DeepSeek, which had reached 125 million monthly active users globally by the second quarter of 2025, alongside Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen and ByteDance’s Doubao. DeepSeek’s January 2025 launch of its R1 model triggered a wave of adoption that helped double the national user base within months.

Adoption is concentrated among younger and more educated demographics. 74.6% of users are under 40 years old, with 33.8% aged 19 or younger. Nearly 38% hold junior college degrees or higher, and bachelor’s degree holders make up 28.9% of the user base.

By August, China had registered 538 generative AI services and 263 applications or functions through its government-led compliance framework, according to the China Internet Network Information Center. The figure marks rapid expansion from 346 registered services in March.

Generative AI is widely used for intelligent search, content creation, and office assistance. Emerging applications span agriculture, manufacturing, and scientific research. By April 2025, China had filed 1.576 million AI-related patents, accounting for 38.58% of the global total and the highest share of any country.

The State Council’s AI Plus initiative mandates government departments and state-owned enterprises to lead AI adoption by opening application scenarios, optimizing innovation ecosystems, and strengthening computing infrastructure and data supply. The policy also emphasizes robust AI governance, risk management, and ethical standards, with a pronounced focus on international leadership in AI standards and cooperation under United Nations guidance.

China’s AI Plus strategy positions the technology as a primary driver of the nation’s intelligent economy, restructuring industry and governance models while enhancing public services. The initiative reflects China’s intent to lead globally in AI research, application, and governance, with generative AI at the center of this national modernization effort.