China to focus on integration of data industry with data-intensive sectors

China will further promote the development and utilization of enterprise data resources, and advance the establishment of trusted data matrixes, so as to fully unleash the value of massive data resources, the country's top data governance regulator said on Tuesday.

Chen Ronghui, deputy head of the National Data Administration, said at a news conference in Beijing that the key focus should be placed on bolstering the integrated development of data industry with data-intensive sectors, such as autonomous driving, embodied intelligence and low-altitude economy.

Noting that China's data industry is still at the initial stage of development, Chen said the newly unveiled policy documents related to data are specific measures aimed at pressing ahead with reforms related to the market-oriented allocation of data elements, and building a national integrated data market.

He emphasized that the administration will work with relevant departments to study and introduce more incremental policies to stabilize market expectations and bolster the confidence of enterprises.

More efforts should be made to promote the in-depth integration and innovation of data elements with production processes, empower the transformation and upgrading of industries and nurture new growth momentum for the digital economy, Chen said.

The new guideline on promoting the development and utilization of corporate data resources stipulates 13 measures including improving a mechanism to safeguard corporate data rights and interests, cultivating digital competitiveness of enterprises, as well as fostering an open, transparent and predictable development environment.

China aims to build more than 100 trusted data matrixes by 2028, according to an action plan released by the NDA. A trusted data matrix refers to data circulation and utilization infrastructure based on consensus rules connecting multiple entities with the aim of achieving the sharing and use of data resources.

To further facilitate the development of the data industry, Chen called for efforts to make technological breakthroughs in terms of data supply, circulation, utilization and security protection, bolster the deeper integration and innovative application of data technology and artificial intelligence, as well as accelerate the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.