China is rapidly developing a large-scale data ecosystem to support its digital economy. Data is now treated as a strategic resource and an important driver of economic growth.
Data as an Economic Resource
China’s digital economy represents around 45% of national GDP. In 2019, data was officially recognised as a factor of production, alongside labour and capital.
Data generation is growing quickly. In 2024, China produced 41.06 zettabytes (ZB) of data, a 25% increase from the previous year. The total volume of stored data reached 2.09 ZB, growing 20.8% year-on-year.
National Data Administration
China established the National Data Administration (NDA) in October 2023.
The NDA coordinates the country’s data strategy and oversees five areas:
- comprehensive management
- data elements and markets
- digital economy
- data infrastructure
- public data governance
Its role is to support the development of Digital China and a national data market.
National Data Infrastructure
China is building a national data infrastructure to support secure and large-scale data circulation.
The roadmap includes:
- 2024–2026: design of the infrastructure
- 2027–2028: large-scale connectivity and data circulation
- By 2029: completion of the core framework
This initiative aims to enable a unified national data market.
Data Exchanges and Trusted Data Spaces
China has established several data exchanges, including in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Guiyang, to support data trading and innovation.The country also plans to develop more than 100 trusted data spaces by 2028, enabling data sharing across industries, cities and enterprises.
Sources
- China National Data Administration – Official Inauguration (2023)
China inaugurates National Data Administration - National Data Administration – Trusted Data Spaces Action Plan (2024–2028)
China to establish over 100 trusted data spaces by 2028 - China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
Research Report on the Development of China’s Digital Economy (2024) - National Data Administration – Institutional Overview
https://www.nda.gov.cn - China Trusted Data Space Development Plan
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202411/23/WS67419042a310f1265a1cf399.html
