China published new guidelines on Friday for what it calls “new productive forces”, a slogan covering artificial intelligence, drones and other frontier technologies. Here is what the rules say.“New productive forces” is Beijing’s phrase for growth driven by technological breakthroughs rather than cheap labour. It includes AI, humanoid robots, 6G, the low-altitude economy and brain-computer interfaces.

The concept anchors China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.The guidelines promise new monitoring and emergency response systems to ensure AI stays safe, reliable and controllable. They also warn that officials and executives who make “blind” investments in these technologies will be held strictly accountable for major losses.The rules encourage the low-altitude economy — commercial drones, air taxis and small aircraft flying in low-altitude airspace — while demanding strict safety standards. A justice minister said China will also accelerate legislation on AI this year.The aim is a balance.

China wants to lead in AI and advanced manufacturing, but it also wants the state to stay firmly in control of how these technologies develop and who benefits from them.