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China Token Export: AI Compute as a New Digital Trade Channel
A token is the smallest unit of information processed by AI large models. When tokens cross borders, supported by domestic intelligent computing centers exporting large model inference capabilities to the world, a new digital trade channel is opening.
Data Witnesses Exponential Growth
In 2025, China’s daily token call volume experienced explosive growth:
- Early 2025: Over one trillion calls
- End of 2025: Surpassed 100 trillion calls
- Growth multiplier: Approximately 100x exponential leap
This growth rate far exceeds traditional goods trade, making digital export a core engine of new foreign trade formats.
Shantou Case: Daily 10 Billion Tokens in “Data Processing for Export”
Shantou, Guangdong serves as a typical example of token export operations:
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Daily token call volume | 10 billion |
| Business model | Data processing for export (API compute output) |
| Infrastructure | Domestic intelligent computing centers |
| Service scope | Overseas AI application developers |
Shantou’s practice validates the “digital incoming processing” model: overseas users complete large model inference tasks by calling Chinese computing center APIs through APIs, completing the trade loop purely through digital services without physical goods crossing borders.
Business Logic of Token Export
Why Can China Become a Token Export Powerhouse?
- Computing infrastructure advantage: China has built the world’s largest intelligent computing cluster system, with 42 ten-thousand-card-level intelligent computing clusters constructed in 2025
- Energy cost competitiveness: National computing center total electricity consumption reached 170 billion kWh, achieving cost optimization through a scaled power system
- Model development capability: Domestic large models (such as DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao) are competitive in international markets
- Engineering capability: Full-chain optimization experience from model training to inference deployment
Target Customer Profile
- Overseas AI startups: Need high-cost-performance inference APIs
- SMB developers: No need to build their own computing infrastructure
- Emerging markets: Regions with AI application explosions but insufficient local computing power
Comparison with Traditional Trade
| Dimension | Traditional Goods Trade | Token Export (Digital Trade) |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics costs | High (sea/air freight) | Zero |
| Delivery time | Several weeks | Millisecond-level |
| Marginal cost | Increases with scale | Approaches zero |
| Tariff barriers | Complex | Currently low |
| Scaling bottleneck | Production/logistics limitations | Computing expansion |
Policy Support
The National Energy Administration recently held a national “AI+” energy on-site promotion meeting, releasing clear signals:
- Released the first batch of 51 “AI+” energy high-value scenarios
- 25 energy companies signed an open application scenario initiative letter
- The energy field provides stable application scenarios for AI computing demand
This means token export is not only a commercial activity but also a digital trade layout at the national strategic level.
Challenges and Risks
Short-term Challenges
- Geopolitical risks: Some countries may restrict dependence on Chinese APIs
- Data compliance: Regulatory requirements for cross-border data flow
- Price wars: Domestic manufacturers’ low-price competition may compress profit margins
Long-term Risks
- Technology iteration: Edge computing may reduce demand for centralized API calls
- Localization competition: Target markets may develop local computing capabilities
Future Outlook
Token export represents China’s AI industry upgrading from “model output” to “compute service output.” If the past decade was the era of “Made in China,” the next decade may be the era of “China Compute.”
Key indicators to watch:
- Whether daily token call volume can break 500 trillion in 2026
- Whether an official digital assistance model similar to “ODA” (Official Digital Assistance) will emerge
- The improvement of cross-border data flow regulatory frameworks
What do you think of this new token export format? Will it become a core pillar of China’s digital trade? Share your views in the discussion area.