China requires employment-risk reviews before AI deployment

China's State Council published directive Guobanfa [2026] No. 29 on October 23, 2026, requiring AI projects in regulated sectors to complete an employment-risk assessment before approval. The document sets 18 tasks across six areas, including retraining and an "unemployment buffer period" before large-scale automation.

• Directive No. 29, dated October 23, 2026, makes employment-risk review a condition for AI project approval
• The document lists 18 tasks across six areas of AI employment governance
• Companies are urged to give workers advance notice and transition help before major AI rollouts
• China's core AI industry was valued at over 1.2 trillion yuan in 2025, with 6,200+ AI firms