China selects pilot zones to take part in blockchain trials
The initiative will involve 164 entities including hospitals, universities and companies

China has selected 15 pilot zones and 164 entities in various industries to carry out blockchain pilot projects across the country.
The pilot zones include areas in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, as well as Guangzhou and Chengdu, according to a notice posted on the Central Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)’s website.
164 entities, including hospitals, universities, and companies like the Commercial Bank of China and Beijing Gas Group, have been selected to carry out the blockchain pilot projects. These entities will conduct projects in fields including manufacturing, energy, tax, law, government and finance.
The CAC stated that the regions should attach great importance to the national blockchain innovation application pilot work and ensure it’s promoted. It said that the pilot should explore the full role of the blockchain in promoting data sharing, optimising business processes, reducing operating costs, improving collaboration efficiency, and building a credible system.
Provincial-level cyberspace administrators and industry supervisory departments will be in charge of guiding, coordinating, and promoting the layout of blockchain technology infrastructure in the region.
The notice added that all pilot regions should give priority to adopting blockchain software and hardware technologies that are interoperable and capable of sustainable development. They should also guide blockchain applications to develop their value, scale, and industrialisation. Pilot regions will be encouraged to carry out in-depth cooperation with research institutions, companies, and experts too.
Outlook 2022: Five priorities for boards, management & governance professionals
What’s driving the future of governance
The CAC, national and provincial industry supervisory authorities will help pilots to connect to experts to provide guidance on the planning and construction of the pilot, training exchanges, and creating blockchain standards.
Get the ITPro. daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Focus Report 2025 - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
The statement was jointly published by 16 governmental bodies, including the ministry of industry and information technology, the central bank, the state administration of taxation, and the National Energy Administration.
China is promoting blockchain technology despite having banned bitcoin and cracked down on cryptocurrencies. In May, the country targeted cryptocurrency mining as well as exchange platforms. Miners and platforms were forced to suspend operations and came after other measures were proposed like banning banks and financial institutions from providing cryptocurrency-related services.
Zach Marzouk is a former ITPro, CloudPro, and ChannelPro staff writer, covering topics like security, privacy, worker rights, and startups, primarily in the Asia Pacific and the US regions. Zach joined ITPro in 2017 where he was introduced to the world of B2B technology as a junior staff writer, before he returned to Argentina in 2018, working in communications and as a copywriter. In 2021, he made his way back to ITPro as a staff writer during the pandemic, before joining the world of freelance in 2022.

‘If you want to look like a flesh-bound chatbot, then by all means use an AI teleprompter’: Amazon banned candidates from using AI tools during interviews – here’s why you should never use them to secure a job

Businesses must get better at sharing cyber information, urges former GCHQ chief

AI PCs are becoming a no-brainer for IT decision makers