China Issues "AI + Software" Action Plan to Boost AI Coding and Agent Ecosystems
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has launched the "AI + Software" special action plan, outlining strategic milestones for 2028 and 2030. The policy aims to accelerate intelligent programming tools, transform software development workflows, and scale AI agent applications across key industries. The policy seeks to elevate China's software industry to the top of global value chains by embedding AI deeply into software engineering, foundational software, and hardware terminals like smartphones and connected vehicles. It establishes clear state backing for AI agents, open-source communities, and national standardizations like "Agent as a Service." By 2028, the plan targets adoption across 20,000 large-scale software firms, 100 benchmark AI agent applications, and the creation of over 15 hardware-software adaptation centers. It also mandates developing AI agent skill package (Skills) repositories, AI-driven security auditing tools, and integrating AI into specialized software such as CAD and EDA.
## BACKGROUND
Software engineering is evolving from manual coding to intelligent workflows where AI models automatically generate code, fix vulnerabilities, and optimize performance. Critical industrial software such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) serves as the backbone for modern manufacturing and semiconductor design, making AI integration essential for high-tech competitiveness.