China will harness big data, artificial intelligence, new media products, case-based explanations and grassroots services to make legal education more targeted for different groups, officials said on Thursday at a State Council Information Office press conference.

The briefing introduced the implementation of the ninth Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for publicity and education on the rule of law. The plan was recently forwarded by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Hu Weilie, vice-minister of justice, said public legal education has advanced steadily over the past five years, with noticeable improvements to citizens' legal awareness and the level of law-based social governance.

Hu said the new plan provides a road map for the next five years, aiming to raise citizens' legal literacy, foster public faith in the rule of law and promote a social atmosphere of respecting rules, honoring contracts and upholding fairness.

The plan will focus on education related to the Constitution, high-quality development, national security, social stability, people's livelihoods and ecological conservation, he said.

Hu said legal education must become more precise and practical. Authorities will improve mechanisms for assessing public legal needs, tailor content for different groups and make better use of digital and intelligent platforms. AI and other technologies will be used to create more new media legal education products, while legal explanations will be provided promptly around cases and incidents of public concern.

"The people's needs should guide what we provide," Hu said, adding that authorities will correct the tendency to value paperwork over real results, so that public legal education becomes more effective.

Chao Baodong, head of the bureau of cyberspace law-based governance under the Cyberspace Administration of China, said the internet has become a major channel for legal education. By the end of 2025, China had 1.13 billion internet users, with an internet penetration rate of 80.1 percent.

During the new plan period, authorities will improve online legal education, with a focus on the Constitution and laws related to cybersecurity, data security and personal information protection, Chao said. More tailored campaigns will target cyberspace officials, internet companies and employees, minors and other groups.

Chao said big data and AI will support short videos, animated explainers and interactive Q&A products, helping legal education reach users more accurately and naturally.

Tang Jie, head of the department for safeguarding youth rights and interests of the Communist Youth League Central Committee, said youth legal education is shifting from simply spreading legal knowledge to cultivating the spirit of the rule of law.

The league will continue programs including online legal knowledge contests and youth volunteer legal education campaigns, Tang said. This summer, 523 social practice teams were organized nationwide to promote legal education and collect the legal needs of young people and parents.

Tang said the league will work with relevant departments and more than 3,700 youth rights protection posts to address issues including telecom fraud, school bullying, internet addiction and drug abuse, while providing legal support for minors in difficulty.

Authorities will also strengthen responsibility mechanisms and embed legal education into grassroots governance, dispute resolution and industry regulation, while encouraging media outlets, social organizations and volunteers to participate.