On August 18, 2026, the National Data Administration officially announced the launch of a pilot program for international cooperation in the field of data. The first batch of pilot projects will be carried out in 10 places including Shanghai, Hainan, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Changsha, Hunan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hengqin Guangdong Macao Deep Cooperation Zone, and Nanning, Guangxi. This is an important step taken by China in international cooperation in the field of data, marking the substantive exploration stage of cross-border data flow, data infrastructure construction, and data standard docking.

Ten places first, try first

The first batch of pilot projects covers 10 cities and regions in six provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities including Shanghai, Hainan, Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, covering the eastern coastal open front, central inland open highland, as well as national strategic areas such as the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area and Hainan Free Trade Port. The selection of pilot areas takes into account different levels of development and openness needs, including cities with high levels of internationalization such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, as well as important node cities open to ASEAN and inland areas such as Nanning and Changsha. Each pilot region will explore differentiated paths in international cooperation in the field of data based on its own characteristics and geographical advantages. Shanghai will focus on cross-border flow of financial data, Hainan will promote data freedom and convenience based on its policy advantages as a free trade port, Guangdong will explore data interoperability in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, and Guangxi will carry out data cooperation with ASEAN countries.

Comprehensive exploration in six major directions

The pilot will explore six aspects, including data infrastructure, data standard protocols, and cross-border service ecology. In terms of data infrastructure, the pilot will explore the construction of infrastructure and channels for cross-border data flow, providing technical support for the secure and orderly flow of data. In terms of data standard protocols, each testing point will participate in the development of international standards and protocol docking in the data field, promoting the integration of Chinese data standards with the international community. In terms of cross-border service ecology, the pilot will cultivate market entities and industrial ecology for cross-border data services, and explore the commercialization path of cross-border circulation of data elements. Through systematic exploration in six major directions, the pilot will accumulate replicable and promotable experience for international cooperation in the field of data. Keywords: strategic news and information, digital economy, international cooperation, cross-border services

Milestones in International Data Cooperation

The launch of the first batch of pilot projects is an important milestone for China's international cooperation in the field of data. With the globalization of the digital economy, cross-border data flow has become an important component of international trade and investment. As a major player in the global digital economy, China's pilot international cooperation in the field of data is not only a response to international concerns, but also an institutional innovation to promote the secure and orderly flow of data. The pilot work will provide practical experience for improving the cross-border data management system and building an open and win-win international cooperation pattern in the data field, helping China play a more active role in global data governance. Each pilot region will orderly promote cross-border data flow while ensuring data security, injecting new momentum into the development of the digital economy.Editor/Gao Xue