China issued a guideline to promote the high-quality development of e-commerce empowered by the artificial intelligence (AI), with the goal of better serving the real economy.

China's Ministry of Commerce and five other government departments issued the guideline on Monday, encouraging e-commerce companies to step up research and development and the application of AI large language models to enhance the consumer experience, lower operating costs, and improve distribution efficiency.

The guideline also calls for balanced algorithm rules, stronger legal protection for tech-related intellectual property, and a reduced burden of proof for rights holders in e-commerce disputes.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to deepen the application of digital technologies across the sector.