China reports over 140 trillion daily AI token usage as of March, reflecting rapid growth in artificial intelligence applications and expanding data resources.
China’s daily artificial intelligence (AI) token usage has surpassed 140 trillion as of March, according to the National Data Administration. The figure marks a sharp rise from 100 billion at the beginning of 2024 to 100 trillion by the end of 2025.
Officials said the increase reflects fast expansion in AI applications and a broader shift from basic interaction to more advanced functions such as decision-making and task execution.
Rapid Increase in Token Usage
Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration, announced the figures at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office. He said daily token usage has grown more than 1,000 times in two years. It has also risen by over 40 per cent compared with the end of 2025.
Token, a unit used to measure AI computing and service usage, has become a key indicator of industry activity. The rapid growth suggests that AI systems now support a wider range of real-world tasks.
Expanding Data Supply and Application Scenarios
China has built more than 100,000 high-quality datasets by the end of 2025. The total data volume has exceeded 890 petabytes. This is about 310 times the size of the digital resources held by the National Library of China.
Officials said the growth in datasets has supported the development of AI models and applications. As data supply increases, AI systems can handle more complex tasks across industries.
Recent examples include open-source models gaining public attention, AI-driven performances during major events, and new applications in robotics. These trends show how AI continues to move into practical use.
Toward a Measurable AI Economy
Authorities said token usage now plays a role in linking technology supply with business demand. It also provides a measurable basis for pricing AI services.
Some companies have reported strong revenue growth under token-based pricing models. In certain cases, firms generated more revenue in 20 days than in the entire previous year.
Liu said the rising token usage also reflects ongoing reforms in data resource allocation. A cycle is taking shape in which data supply supports AI development, and AI applications, in turn, drive further demand for data.
China expects its AI-related industries to exceed 10 trillion yuan in value by the end of the next five-year plan.
Written by Ronnie Yu, additional reporting by CNS, HKCNA.
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