Chinese vice premier calls for stronger global data governance

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addressed the inaugural meeting of the World Data Organisation (WDO) held in Beijing on Monday.

Ding Xuexiang read out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message and delivered the keynote speech. He said that the establishment of the WDO is a significant event that conforms to the development trends of the intelligent era and contributes to the deepening of international data cooperation.

In his message, President Xi Jinping, he said, had expressed high expectations of the organisation. The Vice Premier stressed that China supports the growth and development of the WDO so that it can help bridge the data gap, unlock the value of data and promote the digital economy, thus contributing to the joint efforts for a better digital future.

Ding Xuexiang also said that China attaches great importance to data management and the development of the digital economy. The country is speeding up the construction of basic systems such as data rights and using data to promote industrial upgrading, improve people's living standards and enhance the efficiency of governance.

He further stressed that China will continue to build Digital China, deepen the development and use of data resources, accelerate innovation in digital and intelligent technologies, and actively expand their use, thus giving a strong impetus to the development of the global digital economy.

Calling for the establishment of the WDO to be an opportunity to improve global data governance and ensure the healthy development of the digital economy, the Deputy Prime Minister made three proposals.

First, he called for harnessing the high mobility of data and promoting its efficient flow and use through openness and collaboration. Secondly, he stressed the need to harness the powerful potential of data and to promote co-development through sharing. Thirdly, he called for taking into account the sensitivity of data and ensuring its security through coordinated management.

Approximately 500 people attended the WDO's inaugural meeting, including representatives of member organisations, Chinese and foreign scientists and technologists, government officials and leaders of international organisations.

CMG