Building China's Data Economy: How Policy, Emerging Tech, and Digital Talent Shape the Future

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has unveiled a comprehensive strategic directive aimed at establishing foundational infrastructure for the country’s data-driven economy. The initiative, outlined in official guidance, underscores a critical need to address systemic challenges in how data is valued, governed, and exchanged within market mechanisms.

The Core Challenge: Data Element Governance

The policy framework tackles fundamental questions that have long hindered China’s data economy. How should data ownership be defined? What methodologies determine fair pricing? How can transaction mechanisms be standardized? These aren’t merely theoretical concerns—they directly impact whether enterprises can unlock the economic value locked within their data assets. The document prioritizes in-depth theoretical research on these foundational issues, establishing policies and legal frameworks that will govern data circulation across sectors.

Technological Foundation Meets Real-World Application

The strategic plan identifies emerging technologies as critical enablers. Artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and privacy-preserving computing represent three pillars that the nation will focus research efforts on. These aren’t standalone technologies; they’re interconnected solutions designed to solve concrete problems in data handling—from ensuring transaction security through blockchain to protecting individual privacy while extracting valuable insights.

The emphasis extends beyond theoretical development. The document specifically targets practical research applications across vital sectors: intelligent manufacturing relies on data-driven optimization; transportation systems require real-time data integration; financial services demand robust data security and compliance; healthcare stands to benefit from anonymized patient data analytics. Each sector presents unique data challenges that demand tailored solutions built on common technological foundations.

Cultivating Digital Talent for Tomorrow’s Economy

Central to this vision is the systematic development of digital talent—professionals capable of bridging policy, technology, and business applications. This encompasses talent recruitment, cultivation, and retention strategies designed to create an ecosystem where data specialists, engineers, and policy experts collaborate effectively. Without this human capital, even the most sophisticated data infrastructure would lack the expertise to operate it effectively.

Building China’s Autonomous Knowledge System

Ultimately, the initiative aims to establish a self-reliant, practice-based knowledge framework for data elements in China. Rather than importing foreign models wholesale, this approach builds indigenous theoretical foundations and scientific research capabilities rooted in China’s specific context and needs. This knowledge system will provide the intellectual scaffolding necessary for Digital China’s sustained, high-quality development—transforming data from a raw resource into a strategic asset that drives innovation, efficiency, and economic transformation across the nation’s economy.