In a control plane connection management method, a core network function entity determines, based on a service requirement of a service, information about a first connection requirement for a control plane connection of a terminal. The first connection requirement is for activating the control plane connection between the terminal and an access and mobility management function entity. The core network entity constructs a first control plane requirement message that contains identifier information of the terminal and the information about the first connection requirement. The core network entity then sends the first control plane requirement message to the access and mobility management function entity to instruct the access and mobility management function entity to activate the control plane connection of the terminal.