China launches initiative to boost IPv6 support for AI models

China's cyberspace authority, together with local offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen, and five major AI model companies, launched a one-year campaign in Xiong'an New Area to push big AI models to fully support IPv6. The move aims to strengthen the network foundation for the AI era.

IPv6, the next-generation internet protocol with massive address space and efficient routing, is seen as a key base for AI model applications. As AI apps boom and token traffic surges, the campaign will boost IPv6 adoption for model APIs and infrastructure.

Xiong'an also started deploying IPv6-only networks, targeting full-scale operation by 2030. Under a new plan, China aims for 900 million active IPv6 users with 38% traffic share by 2027, and 950 million users with 42% traffic share by 2030.