China's powerful State-backed investors are piling into the country's top artificial intelligence startups, turning the efforts over large language models from a venture capital frenzy into a strategic national move over technological self-sufficiency.

Government-linked investors in China went from backing fewer than 10 AI deals annually before 2018 to more than 140 in 2025, reshaping who controls the future of AI.

China's powerful State-backed investors are piling into the country's top artificial intelligence startups, turning the efforts over large language models from a venture capital…

The fundraising boom follows years of state-led efforts to channel capital into strategic sectors such as chips, AI and manufacturing.