The law, which was issued in March, requires explicit and implicit labels for AI-generated text, images, audio, video and other virtual content. Explicit markings must be clearly visible to users, while implicit identifiers – such as digital watermarks – should be embedded in the metadata.
The new regulation reflects Beijing’s increased scrutiny of AI, as concerns grow over misinformation, copyright infringement and online fraud.
It also aligns with a broader push to tighten AI oversight, which was made a key focus of the CAC’s 2025 Qinglang, or clear and bright, campaign – an annual initiative aimed at cleaning up China’s cyberspace.
WeChat, known as Weixin on the mainland, said content creators must voluntarily declare all AI-generated content upon publication. For content that has not been flagged, WeChat said it would remind users to “exercise their own judgment” online. WeChat has more than 1.4 billion combined monthly active users worldwide, according to Tencent’s latest financial report.
