National government departments actively promote the development and application of BIM technology. During the “Fifteen” Science and Technology Research Program, key topics included research on Building Engineering Application Software based on IFC international standards. The focus was on BIM data standards (IFC) and the development of structural design and construction management software aligned with IFC.
Under the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan,” the Ministry of Science and Technology launched a key project under the National Science and Technology Support Plan titled “Research and Application of Key Technologies for Informationization in the Construction Industry.” This project centered on five main areas:
- Research on information standard systems and key standards for the construction industry;
- Development of next-generation building engineering application software based on BIM technology;
- Research and application of key information technologies in surveying and design enterprises;
- Research and application of key technologies for informatization in architectural engineering design and construction processes;
- Research and application of key technologies for management informatization in construction enterprises.
In 2012, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued the “Outline for the Development of Construction Industry Information from 2011 to 2015.” This outlined goals for the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan,” emphasizing the promotion of information systems within construction enterprises, accelerating the establishment of IT standards, and advancing new technologies such as BIM and network-based collaborative work. The plan also aimed to promote the research and industrialization of software with independent intellectual property rights, striving to bring information technology applications in Chinese construction enterprises up to international standards.
On March 28, 2012, the China BIM Development Alliance was founded in Beijing. The alliance’s mission is to foster coordinated development of BIM technology, standards, and software across China, to standardize and industrialize technological achievements, enhance the core competitiveness of enterprises, and provide a solid platform supporting BIM applications nationwide.
On June 29, 2012, the China BIM Development Alliance and the National Standard “Unified Standard for Application of Building Information Modeling” jointly hosted the China BIM Standard Research Project Release and Signing Conference in Beijing. The event, organized by the China Academy of Building Research, introduced the implementation plan for the Chinese BIM standard research project. This initiative laid a strong foundation for the final drafting and implementation of the national standard “Unified Standard for Building Information Modeling Application” (NBIMS-CHN), approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
Research institutions and industry associations have also been instrumental in advancing BIM technology. In 2004, China’s first Building Life Cycle Management (BLM) laboratory was established at Harbin Institute of Technology, accompanied by the inaugural BLM International Forum. Between 2004 and 2005, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, and South China University of Technology set up BLM labs and BIM research groups. BLM represents a key application area within BIM technology.
Several leading architectural design teams and real estate companies have founded BIM research institutions, including the Tsinghua University Architectural Design and Research Institute, China Academy of Architectural Design and Research, China Academy of Building Research, China Construction International Construction Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Group.
In 2008, the Chinese BIM portal (www.bimii.com) was launched as a platform to promote the development of China’s civil engineering and construction informatization industry with BIM at its core. The website provides information, development trends, professional resources, technical software, and communication channels for BIM developers and users.
In January 2010, Autodesk Inc. co-hosted the first “Innovation Cup” BIM design competition alongside the China Survey and Design Association. This competition aimed to encourage broader and deeper participation by the construction industry in BIM technology applications. In 2011, Huazhong University of Science and Technology established the BIM Engineering Center, becoming the first university-led institution specializing in BIM research and professional consulting services.
In May 2012, the National BIM Skill Level Evaluation Work Guidance Committee was formed during a conference held at the Friendship Hotel in Beijing. Committee members received their official appointment letters at this event.
In October 2012, the Revit China User Group, supported by Autodesk and organized by the authoritative construction media Zhulong.com, successfully concluded the first “Diaolong Cup” Revit China User BIM Application Competition. The contest targeted BIM enthusiasts, researchers, and engineering experts, focusing on project implementation and software application experience.
Industry demand continues to drive BIM technology development and application. China is currently undertaking the world’s largest infrastructure construction projects, featuring increasingly complex structures and numerous super-large projects. These endeavors present significant investment, technical, and management risks for all stakeholders.
To address the information gaps across various stages and professional systems throughout the building lifecycle, BIM technology is employed to comprehensively enhance informatization and improve application efficiency from design and construction to facility management. Landmark projects such as the National Stadium, Qingdao Bay Bridge, and Guangzhou West Tower have successfully implemented 4D construction dynamic integrated management, earning the Huaxia Construction Science and Technology First Prize in 2009 and 2010.
The Shanghai Center project’s EPC bidding explicitly requires BIM technology application. High-profile adoption of BIM in these large-scale engineering projects has attracted significant attention from owners, designers, constructors, and other enterprises, undoubtedly accelerating the development and broader implementation of BIM technology throughout China’s construction industry.
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