China plans to have national data infrastructure in place by 2029

Draft guidelines stress need for a secure environment for data sharing, particularly sensitive information that may affect national security

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The plan is to simplify data-sharing processes while ensuring national security, according to the draft guidelines. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:00pm, 22 Nov 2024Updated: 12:07am, 23 Nov 2024

China’s data agency has announced an ambitious plan to develop a national digital infrastructure by 2029 to manage data as a key resource.

According to draft guidelines released by the National Data Administration on Friday, the growth of the digital economy has increased demand for “better data circulation, usage and value extraction”, highlighting the need for an active government role and a functional market.

The document states that the aim is to create a national data infrastructure that balances efficiency with equity, accommodates the unique characteristics of data elements, and harnesses the value and utility of data.

Put together by the NDA, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the guidelines are open for public feedback until December 1.

It comes amid growing global competition in technology and digital infrastructure, especially between China and the United States, where concerns about national security have intensified.

The document states that the growth of the digital economy has increased demand for “better data circulation, usage and value extraction”. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

The NDA in April said it would speed up construction of an integrated computing power network with a deadline of 2025 to scale up capacity by half. China is second only to the US in terms of aggregated processing power.