China advances BCI research and policy at Zhongguancun Forum

China's latest advancements in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and industry policies took center stage at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum).

Speaking at a BCI-themed forum on Monday, Du Guangda, deputy director general of the Science and Technology Department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the emergence of future-oriented technologies like BCI. He announced that the ministry plans to enhance top-level planning and collaborate with relevant departments to release BCI-related guidelines, setting clear industry goals and tasks.

Lu Yong, vice president of the China National Institute for Food and Drug Control, revealed that a specialized expert group will soon be established to research BCI medical devices and propose revisions to relevant standards. A fast-track approval process will be introduced to ensure timely proposal, initiation, and development of standards, free from annual plan constraints.

China has also made notable progress in BCI research. In March 2025, the country's domestically developed semi-invasive BCI system, Beinao-1, completed its third human implantation surgery.

The system has been deployed in a three-hospital collaboration involving Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Xuanwu Hospital, and Peking University First Hospital. At Tiantan Hospital, a stroke patient successfully controlled a robotic arm through thought within a week, aiding rehabilitation. At Xuanwu Hospital, an ALS patient regained communication abilities by decoding over 60 Chinese characters using a 128-channel flexible electrode. And, at Peking University First Hospital, a quadriplegic patient was able to grasp dynamic targets using a brain-controlled robotic arm, marking a key milestone in spinal cord injury recovery.

At a parallel forum on Saturday, themed "Technology for Disability Assistance," a biomedical engineering team from Fudan University showcased the world's first three-in-one brain-spinal interface technology. Four paraplegic patients were able to regain leg movement within 24 hours of surgery by constructing a "neural bridge" between the brain and spinal cord; some even tried standing as soon as 10 days after the procedure.

From research and development to clinical application, China's entire BCI innovation chain was highlighted at the ZGC Forum. BCI is poised to open up new avenues for industrial development and medical rehabilitation, thanks to advancements in technology and policy support.