Hangzhou dangles up to 30 million yuan in AI subsidies to support country’s push for global dominance

  • Dozens of Chinese cities have released policies to foster AI development over the past year, as the country eyes global leadership in the field
  • Hangzhou, home to some of China’s biggest tech giants such as Alibaba and NetEase, will subsidise projects to promote “shared and open AI platforms”

Sarah Daiin Beijing
iFlytek's artificial intelligence (AI) smart city display at the International Intelligent Transportation Industry Expo in Hangzhou, China December 21, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Hangzhou has become the latest city to unveil a package of policies supportive of artificial intelligence (AI) development, as Chinese cities charge into the new year with AI development as a key priority.

The city, home to some of China’s biggest tech giants including Alibaba and NetEase, will offer up to 30 million yuan (US$4.3 million) in subsidies per project for the development of open AI platforms, computing hardware, core algorithms and operating systems, the Hangzhou Municipal Government announced. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.