World Investor Week (WIW) is an annual global campaign spearheaded by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection. In order to deepen international exchange and cooperation, and to enhance the quality and effectiveness of investor education, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), as an ordinary member of the IOSCO, organized the 2025 World Investor Week activities upon three themes of “Technology and Digital Finance”, “Artificial Intelligence” and “Fraud and Scam Prevention”, as established by IOSCO. The campaign activities have achieved positive results.

Aligning with technological advancements and digital finance developments—alongside their potential risks—the campaign cautioned investors against blindly trusting “financial influencers” or “robo-advisors.” It emphasized the importance of making independent and prudent investment decisions, evaluating the suitability of innovative tools for individual circumstances, and remaining vigilant against potential conflicts of interest and tool limitations.

First, focusing on technological innovation to strengthen policy communication and knowledge dissemination.We organized lectures and thematic forums on the STAR Market's latest reform, hosted exchange meetings for institutional investors in the Beijing Stock Exchange, and communicated extensively with frontline market participants including securities firms, public funds, and insurance asset managers. Our “Meet the Listed Companies” series facilitated investor visits to STAR Market, ChiNext, and Beijing Stock Exchange-listed firms, enabling face-to-face discussions with management. The visits deepened constructive interaction between listed companies and retail investors, enabling investors to gain a deeper understanding of the integration of the three elements of “technology-industry-finance.”

Second, strengthen risk warnings through multiple channels regarding risks in the digital finance sector. We fully leveraged the proprietary communication platforms of market institutions and investor education bases, extensively mobilized media resources, and created and disseminated original investor education materials such as comics, infographics, posters, and H5 content. These materials analyzed emerging risks in digital finance, including financial influencers, robo-advisors, and tech concept speculation, guiding investors to assess qualifications prudently and make cautious decisions amid the digital wave.

Third, conduct scenario-based education in key areas for diverse groups. Building upon the ongoing “Five Outreach Initiatives” activities, the campaign further expanded investor education coverage. We reached out to Southeast Asian immigrant communities, universities with international students, and frontline workers such as food delivery personnel and couriers. We also conducted outreach in densely populated areas like shipyards and power plants. Concurrently, we leveraged online channels to host live-streamed educational sessions and release diverse investment education materials. By analyzing real-life cases, we aimed to heighten investors' awareness of emerging digital financial risks and safeguard the financial well-being of frontline workers.

Drawing on IOSCO's 2025 initiative “AI in Capital Markets: Use Cases, Risks, and Challenges,” we reminded retail investors to strengthen risk awareness and conduct due diligence before investing in AI-related companies or using AI tools to make investment decisions. First, focus on AI technology applications to convey development trends. Emphasizing the principle that “To forge iron, one must be strong oneself”, the CSRC places high importance on theoretical research. Relevant studies—such as Risks, Challenges, and Regulatory Responses to AI Applications in the Securities and Fund Industry and AI Regulation in the Financial Sector: IOSCO Recommendations and International Practices—were conducted to analyze the AI industry chain and global regulatory practices. Simultaneously, “AI Lecture Series” were held in universities, communities, and commercial districts to explain cutting-edge AI developments, application landscapes, and potential risks, guiding investors to fully understand the functions and limitations of various AI tools and assess their suitability .

Second, focus on AI-related scams and strengthen risk warnings. Investor education programs and products were launched to address risks involving AI-powered robo-advisors, fraudulent AI wealth management apps, AI algorithmic investing, and AI scams impersonating financial institutions. These initiatives guided investors toward rational understanding of AI tools and enhance their ability to identify various AI-related scams. Innovative approaches were used to improve outreach, including targeted distribution based on big-data algorithms to warn high-risk and vulnerable groups more effectively.

Third, focus on AI concept investing to guide rational investment. A combination of positive and negative cases was used to educate investors on rational AI-concept investment. Listed companies were encouraged to highlight exemplary AI application cases. Investor site visits enhanced understanding and confidence of the technological innovation capabilities of high-quality listed firms. Through case analysis articles, short videos, and online Q&A sessions, we exposed common AI concept speculation tactics, teaching investors to rationally assess AI technology's implementation feasibility and sustainable profitability while carefully distinguishing genuine AI enterprises from fraudulent ones.

Focusing on strengthening risk prevention and rights protection education,  investors were warned about illegal stock recommendations and stock gurus, encouraged to adopt rational and long-term investment philosophies, and guided to pursue rights protection legally, rationally, and sophisticatedly while avoiding “rights protection black industries.”

First, integrate online and offline efforts to broaden anti-fraud outreach. Online content formats became more diverse and accessible. Anti-fraud micro-dramas, original anti-fraud games, and short-video competitions were launched to enhance engagement and relatability. TV, radio, livestreaming platforms, and public-transport screens were used to distribute original investor education content including animations, sitcom, videos, and posters. Offline investor education activities introduced innovative formats emphasizing integration. Participation in the Sustainable Global Leaders Conference facilitated face-to-face exchanges with on-site investors. Traditional Chinese cultural elements were incorporated through group exercises like intangible cultural heritage experiences to promote anti-fraud awareness. Investor education activities also reached major sports events such as the “Xiangchao” regional football league and marathons.

Second, targeted and tiered education was implemented for seniors and youth. We combined outreach with invitation-based initiatives to advance silver-haired investor education. Visiting nursing homes, senior universities, and communities, we taught seniors techniques to identify illegal stock recommendation scams through educational manuals, case studies, and skits. Our “Investor Open Days” program featured brokerage firms dissecting common illegal securities and futures schemes on-site, while guiding elderly clients step-by-step in using regulatory platform verification tools. Efforts continued to integrate investor education into the national education system through the “Investor Education in 100 Schools” initiative. Universities and primary &secondary schools hosted debates, knowledge lectures, and livestream events on fraud prevention,  analyzing illegal campus loans and emerging AI scams to cultivate rational investment awareness and safeguard campus financial security.

Third, strengthen mechanism development to guide scientific and rational rights protection. Non-litigation dispute-resolution mechanisms were improved, including supporting the establishment of a Securities and Futures Arbitration Center in Beijing to expand investor protection channels. Workshops and research activities were carried out on multi-dispute-resolution mechanisms, focusing on complaint source management and mediation mechanisms, with feedback collected from professionals in securities, arbitration, and legal fields. Market institutions were held accountable through special onsite inspections on complaint handling, reminding them to address service gaps behind investor disputes. Investor rights-protection education was strengthened through research, awareness campaigns, lectures, interactive games, and long-form infographics, explaining rights-relief mechanisms for retail investors, practical rights-protection methods, and the risks of illegal rights-protection intermediaries.