Abstract 

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the intensifying technology competition on a global scale have made AI governance a central policy priority. Based on an evolutionary economics approach, this study develops a three-dimensional analytical framework encompassing policy actors, policy instruments, and policy objectives to examine the co-evolution of technology and institutional arrangements. Using 101 Chinese AI policy documents issued between 2015 and 2025, the study conducts systematic policy text analysis to map the structure and evolution of China’s AI governance system. The results reveal that China’s AI governance system features centralized strategic leadership, multilevel coordination, and a persistent developmental orientation prioritizing industrial transformation. The framework change from “1+N” framework to “AI Plus” paradigm indicates that AI will extend capabilities to various industries under a comprehensive adaptation strategy.