The China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA) expressed its support for the AI and gaming industries during the China Digital Entertainment Congress (CDEC) on the 30th.

In his opening remarks at the CDEC, CADPA Chairman Sun Shoushan emphasized that 'gaming' has been integrated into the national development framework for China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which takes effect in 2026. The Five-Year Plan is China's most critical long-term policy for economic and social development, with the 15th iteration setting the policy direction for 2026–2030. The plan, unveiled in March, includes provisions to guide the healthy development and standardization of the gaming industry, as well as to strengthen the foundation for cultural exports by promoting overseas expansion.

Chairman Sun attributed the state's inclusion of the gaming industry in its long-term development framework to the sector's synergy with cutting-edge technology and its cultural influence. He explained that gaming has been re-evaluated as a 'core medium' that goes beyond simple entertainment, serving as a platform to demonstrate technological innovation—such as in artificial intelligence (AI)—and to spread soft power globally.

Gaming was highlighted as the field most deeply connected to AI technology. With the global AI adoption rate in gaming companies reaching 86% and the number of AI-assisted games on the global distribution platform Steam exceeding 10,000, major Chinese firms like Tencent are also driving R&D innovation, using AI to reduce the time required for high-precision 3D modeling from 'days' to 'minutes.

Beyond technical prowess, the fact that these games serve as a 'key pillar for spreading global culture' was cited as another major reason for national interest. Chairman Sun pointed to the global success of titles such as 'Love and Deepspace,' 'Genshin Impact,' 'Arknights,' and 'Wuthering Waves,' noting that Chinese games, with their distinct cultural depth and Eastern aesthetics, are exerting a powerful cultural influence in overseas markets.

However, CADPA added that to achieve these technological and cultural leaps, the industry must guard against 'over-reliance on technology.' The association pointed out that no matter how advanced AI becomes, it remains a tool for efficiency, and that cultural values and creative agency must remain with human developers. In this regard, Chairman Sun quoted President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference: "We must adhere to the principles of 'people-centered' development and 'striving for excellence' to ensure that AI becomes a vital engine for promoting common prosperity and safeguarding collective security," urging the industry to join in the high-quality development of the Chinese gaming sector.

Meanwhile, CADPA is the only national-level industry organization in China under the supervision of the National Press and Publication Administration. As CADPA's stance is effectively considered a 'guideline' representing the authorities' policy direction, this move is analyzed as a signal that the Chinese government will formally embrace the gaming industry as a major cultural sector starting in 2026.