China is targeting 2030 to complete a national blockchain network as part of a broader strategy to upgrade its digital infrastructure, strengthen technological self-reliance and expand the integration of digital technologies across its economy.
The plan, released by the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission on October 23, outlines the development of a national blockchain backbone, expanded connections between regional hubs and stronger distributed digital identity services. It forms part of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for informatization, which sets out priorities for the country’s digital development.
Beyond blockchain, the strategy envisions an integrated infrastructure system spanning land, sea, air and space. It also calls for the timely launch of commercial 6G services, faster development of the intelligent internet and breakthroughs in critical cyberspace technologies.
Beijing aims to integrate digital technologies more deeply into the real economy while expanding their applications across industries and social services. Strengthening cybersecurity and developing supporting legal, technical and industry standards are also central to the 2030 objectives.
The initiative reflects China’s wider effort to modernize industrial infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign technology. A national blockchain network, developed alongside an integrated computing power network, could provide infrastructure for digital identity services, data coordination and applications across different sectors.
The strategy also aligns with a broader policy push to develop new productive forces, with manufacturing digitalization, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies identified as important areas for development.
However, China’s blockchain ambitions do not signal a broader opening to cryptocurrency markets. Authorities continue to restrict crypto trading and related business activities, with the regulatory framework also extending to yuan-pegged stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization.
This distinction is central to China’s approach: the government is pursuing blockchain as strategic digital infrastructure while maintaining tight controls over private cryptocurrency activities. The progress of the national network toward its 2030 target will therefore be an important indicator of how Beijing intends to deploy distributed technologies within its state-led digital economy.
