Core Socialist Values
A set of ethical and political principles promoted by the Chinese government.
How the laws define this
Both instruments agree that Core Socialist Values are official doctrines promoted by the Communist Party of China, or Chinese Communist Party, which AI services operating in China are mandated to uphold or align with. However, the instruments diverge in how they articulate what this compliance mandate requires. The 人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法（征求意见稿） presents the concept as a structured framework of 12 individual values, explicitly naming prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship. By contrast, the 人工智能生成内容标识管理办法 frames the obligation for generative AI services around specific content prohibitions, stating that upholding these values includes prohibiting the generation of content that could subvert state power, harm national security, or undermine social stability. Compliance professionals must therefore navigate both the affirmative alignment with the 12 listed values and the mandatory prohibitions against harmful content.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Interim Measures for the Administration of Personified Interactive Services Powered by Artificial Intelligence | In Force | This definition lists the 12 specific values comprising the framework, unlike the other which focuses on the doctrines' prohibitive role. |
| China | Administrative Measures for the Labeling of AI-Generated Content | In Force | This definition emphasizes the doctrines' prohibitive function in preventing content that subverts state power or harms security, unlike the other which lists the values. |
What it triggers
- In China, under Interim Measures for the Administration of Personified Interactive Services Powered by Artificial Intelligence, AI services are mandated to align with Core Socialist Values.source
- In China, under Administrative Measures for the Labeling of AI-Generated Content, generative AI services are mandated to uphold Core Socialist Values by prohibiting generation of content that could subvert state power, harm national security, or undermine social stability.source
Definitions (2)
A framework of 12 values (e.g., prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, friendship) promoted by the Communist Party of China, which AI services are mandated to align with.
Core Socialist Values represent a set of official doctrines actively promoted by the Chinese Communist Party. Generative AI services operating in China are mandated to uphold these values, which includes prohibiting the generation of content that could subvert state power, harm national security, or undermine social stability.
Questions and answers
What specific values make up Core Socialist Values?
Core Socialist Values consist of a framework of 12 values including prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship.
What duties do AI services have regarding Core Socialist Values in China?
Personified interactive AI services must align with Core Socialist Values. Generative AI services must uphold them by prohibiting content that subverts state power, harms national security, or undermines social stability.
Which Chinese regulations require compliance with Core Socialist Values?
Interim Measures for the Administration of Personified Interactive Services Powered by Artificial Intelligence mandates alignment for AI services. Administrative Measures for the Labeling of AI-Generated Content mandates upholding them for generative AI services.