Beijing, China – In a bid to address the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the metaverse, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced the formation of a dedicated working group tasked with the establishment of metaverse standards. This move comes as global discussions on the metaverse continue to evolve, creating a need for clarity and regulation in this emerging field.
The MIIT’s proactive approach seeks to expedite the standardization process for the metaverse while simultaneously aligning China with international developments in this space. The ministry cited several concerns driving this initiative, including the potential misuse of sensitive personal data within metaverse environments, the proliferation of digital identities, issues related to pyramid schemes, and the prevalence of online violence. Additionally, information security (infosec) remains a paramount concern.
According to the MIIT, the soaring popularity of the metaverse has prompted some capital and enterprises to speculate, causing the concept of the metaverse to deviate from its true value. This, in turn, has hindered the industry’s development.
The newly formed working group will comprise experts from various sectors, including enterprises, scientific research institutes, universities, and individuals well-versed in the intricacies of the metaverse. The group’s primary tasks will encompass the formulation of fundamental standards, including terminology and reference architectures for the metaverse, as well as key technical standards such as metaverse identity systems, digital content generation, and cross-domain interoperability.
Foremost among the group’s priorities is the development of metaverse standards relevant to industrial manufacturing. Earlier this month, MIIT underscored the transformative potential of the industrial metaverse, describing it as a cornerstone of the new industrialization movement.
This announcement aligns with MIIT’s three-year vision for the metaverse, designating it as one of several technology sectors in which China aims to attain global leadership. As such, the establishment of metaverse standards stands out as a pivotal undertaking in this pursuit.
Furthermore, MIIT unveiled an action plan comprising three major objectives. Aside from improving the industrial standard system, the plan includes enhancing innovation support capabilities and constructing world-class infrastructure, reflecting the Chinese government’s commitment to nurturing the metaverse’s growth and technological leadership on the global stage.
