Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

China Adopts "Ciyuan" for AI Tokens, Aims for Global Currency

3/26/2026

48 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

China has officially adopted "ciyuan" as the translation for "token," a term crucial for AI tools such as ChatGPT.
The shift is seen as an effort to create a new global currency in the AI era.
The term ciyuan combines "ci" meaning "word" and "yuan" meaning "currency."
At the 2026 China Development Forum, Liu Liehong of the National Data Administration said ciyuan links technology with commerce as a value anchor.

1 of 1

Story summary

China has officially adopted "ciyuan" as the translation for "token," a term crucial for AI tools such as ChatGPT.
The shift is seen as an effort to create a new global currency in the AI era.
The term ciyuan combines "ci" meaning "word" and "yuan" meaning "currency."
At the 2026 China Development Forum, Liu Liehong of the National Data Administration said ciyuan links technology with commerce as a value anchor.