China’s 15th five-year plan (2026–2030) pushes to expand AI agents within the digital identity framework, introducing new identification standards, interoperability goals, and stronger biometric data governance.

Policy momentum builds on prior and ongoing rules for AI agents and digital virtual humans, signaling a broader effort to regulate AI behavior, decision-making, and biometric interactions beyond content generation.

A heightened emphasis on personal data protection and biometric governance accompanies the strategy, with expected tougher cybersecurity measures and stricter privacy safeguards for smart devices and biometric information across domestic and cross-border contexts.

Overall, the initiatives reflect a coordinated push to standardize, secure, and interconnect AI agents and biometric identity across a regulated digital economy, with detailed implementations to come in future regulatory text and standards.

The plan envisions expanding the use of a national online identity authentication service and fostering interoperability between distributed digital identity systems, treating digital identity as foundational infrastructure rather than a mere service.

Regulators are extending rules to cover AI agents, intelligent devices, and anthropomorphic AI services, establishing standards for AI-agent identity identifiers and interoperability, while leaving authentication and authorization specifics for later specification.

The plan targets rising adoption of next-generation intelligent devices and AI agents from 40% in 2025 to over 90% by 2030, signaling a regulated path for AI-powered identity verification and biometric use.

Distributed digital identity features prominently, aligning with China’s national blockchain infrastructure plans that feature a central backbone, regional hubs, and interoperable, mutually recognized distributed identity systems.