Action Plan for the Integration and Development of Virtual Reality and Industrial Applications (2022-2026)

The Chinese government has published an Action Plan for developing the virtual reality (VR) sector and integrating VR with industrial applications.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Radio and Television Administration, and the General Administration of Sports of the People’s Republic of China collaborated to create the action plan.

The European Parliamentary Research Service briefing titled ‘Metaverse: Opportunities, Risks and Policy Implications’

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) published, on 24 June 2022, its briefing titled ‘Metaverse: Opportunities, Risks and Policy Implications’. While the exact scope and the effects of the metaverse on society are still unknown, it can already be seen that it will open up a range of opportunities and risks in a variety of policy areas.

In particular, the briefing summarises studies of the possible effects of metaverse platforms on several policy concerns, including competition, data protection, liability, financial transactions, cybersecurity, health, accessibility, and inclusiveness.

Shanghai Action Plan for Cultivating ‘Metaverse’ (2022-2025)

A policy paper released by the Shanghai city government on 8 July 2022 outlined its plan to develop a metaverse industry by the end of 2025.

The development plan refers to the Metaverse as a new generation of information technology integration and innovation that would drive the internet toward Web3. The innovation plan focuses on promoting the development of Metaverse-related industries and helping Beijing build a benchmark city for the digital economy.

The action plan aims at ‘strengthening cutting-edge technological breakthroughs’, focusing on virtual reality headsets, chips, cloud computing, and 5G technology.