Hotspot Observation | Why China, Why Beijing

Jia Jiye, Reporter, China Youth Daily · China Youth Network

Beijing is becoming a new global coordinate for data governance.

On March 30, 2026, a brand-new international organization—World Data Organization (World Data Organization, abbreviated as “WDO”)—was announced as having been established and headquartered in Beijing, China. This is the world’s first professional international organization dedicated to promoting data development and governance practices. It was formed voluntarily by relevant organizations and individuals in the global data field.

The World Data Organization’s purpose is expressed in three sentences: bridge the data divide, unlock the value of data, and foster the prosperity of the digital economy. Put simply, it aims to break down barriers between different countries in the processes of data production, circulation, and application, build a good, sustainable global ecosystem for data development and governance, better leverage the role of data elements, and ensure that data dividends are shared worldwide.

At present, data has stepped out of its subordinate status as a “digital byproduct” and has become a key productive factor driving economic and social development. The thriving development of artificial intelligence is a concentrated reflection of data-driven effects. But the reality is that global data development and cooperation still face many challenges, such as uneven development capacity, fragmentation of rules and standards, and insufficient coordination of industrial ecosystems.

For example, the “2025 Statistical Manual” released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in January this year mentions a set of digital figures with a stark contrast: in 2024, digital services accounted for 56% of the share of global service exports, but in the least developed countries, the figure was only 16%, and the issue of the digital divide remains prominent. Looking ahead, narrowing structural gaps and increasing the participation of developing economies—especially the least developed countries—in the digital economy is an important direction for global development policies.

The World Data Organization is such a platform for international dialogue and cooperation. Its core mission is to promote global data cooperation and governance practices, and to facilitate the exchange and use of data on the premise of compliance, security, and trustworthiness, thereby providing support for the development of the global digital economy. Currently, the organization has absorbed more than 200 member organizations, covering more than 40 countries. It involves 14 industries including industry, finance, healthcare, and public services. A global, diverse, and collaborative member ecosystem with a multi-regional layout has taken shape in its initial form.

More than 40 countries—why does the WDO set its headquarters in China? The answer is obvious: the world has seen China’s solid, real-world capabilities in digital economy and data industry development.

In terms of data resources, China is a real “data superpower.” The “National Data Resources Survey Report (2024)” shows that in 2024, China’s total data production reached 41.06 ZB (zettabytes), and the per-capita data production was about 31.31 TB (terabytes), which is equivalent to more than 10,000 high-definition movies. By the end of 2025, China had built more than 4.8 million 5G base stations, with the total computing power ranking second in the world; the number of internet users exceeded 1.1 billion, ranking first globally and remaining stable at that position.

In terms of digital economy development, in 2024, China’s digital economy reached 59.2 trillion yuan, accounting for 43.8% of GDP. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the value added of core digital economy industries as a share of GDP rose from 7.8% in 2020 to more than 10.5% in 2025, with the scale of the digital economy consistently ranking second in the world for multiple consecutive years. The digital economy has become an important foundational force supporting economic operations and long-term development.

China is also the world’s first country to explicitly treat “data” as a production factor. In the past few years, from establishing the national data bureau to the gradual establishment of local data groups, from issuing and implementing the “Data Twenty Measures” to exploring the “5+3+1” working framework for market-oriented reform of the allocation of data elements—China has accumulated many useful experiences in promoting the release of the value of data elements, data development and protection, and more. The WDO’s decision to be headquartered in China highlights international society’s recognition of China’s digital governance and digital economy development. China’s series of practices will also provide an important reference for changes to the global data governance system.

But China’s strong digital economy cities are not limited to just one. For instance, Hangzhou has gathered a large number of platform enterprises; Shanghai has a deep foundation in financial data; Shenzhen is a “test field” for exploring cross-border data flow and trading… Why would the WDO choose Beijing? The answer lies in Beijing’s specific practices.

One month ago, Beijing held the “Press Conference on Building 2026 Global Digital Economy Benchmark Cities.” A set of data was released at the event: in 2025, Beijing’s digital economy added value exceeded 2.4 trillion yuan, an increase of nearly 60% compared with 2020; the digital economy’s added value accounted for 46.4% of the city’s GDP, up by 7.4 percentage points compared with 2020; and in the evaluation of the 2025 global digital economy benchmark city index, Beijing ranked second in the world……

Behind these weighty figures are Beijing’s tangible policy attention and investments over the years. For example, Beijing established China’s first artificial intelligence data training base and pioneered a “data regulatory sandbox” mechanism, allowing data elements to flow safely while also releasing value. Similarly, Beijing has also built China’s first digital economy enterprise overseas innovation services base, connecting with 29 countries. These proactive explorations have laid a foundation for Beijing to build a favorable innovative ecosystem for data elements and develop the digital economy.

More importantly, as China’s capital and an important hub for scientific and technological innovation, Beijing brings together a large number of regulatory departments, research institutions, and tech innovation enterprises related to data development and governance, which also provides a stable environment for the smooth operation of this international organization. In a sense, Beijing provides the WDO not only with an office address, but with an ecosystem. For Beijing, the settlement of the WDO is an important step in advancing the construction of the functions of an international communications center, and it will also inject new vitality and momentum into building a “global digital economy benchmark city.”

With the WDO headquartered in Beijing, it marks that in the field of global data governance, China is shifting from being a “recipient of rules” to a “co-builder” and even a “leader.” As Jack Perry, chairman of the WDO member units—an organization of 48 member units—in the UK, said: “Data flows across the cloud without borders, but it may also create borders. We see that China is facing problems head-on and seeking solutions to make the achievements of digital economy development more broadly accessible.”

Not long ago, China’s National Data Bureau announced on its official website the 2026 departmental budget. It mentioned that the bureau has 6 internal departments: the Comprehensive Department, the Policy and Planning Department, the Data Resources Department, the Digital Economy Department, the Digital Technology and Infrastructure Construction Department, and the International Data Governance Cooperation Department. Among them, the “International Data Governance Cooperation Department” is a newly established internal agency of the National Data Bureau. Taken together with the establishment of the WDO in Beijing, it is not difficult to see that China will participate even more proactively in international data governance and cooperation.

The WTO (World Trade Organization), established more than 30 years ago, has played an important role in promoting global trade development, facilitating economic growth, and enhancing the participation of developing countries. Some people refer to the World Data Organization as the “WTO of the data world.” Although the two cannot be simply compared at present, this nickname has spread precisely because it hits a shared consensus: global data development and governance has reached a point where an open, inclusive, and professional neutral multilateral platform is needed.

The establishment of the World Data Organization fills a crucial gap in global data governance. Imagine this: as the World Data Organization’s operations gradually move onto the right track, this global “circle of friends” bound together by data will grow stronger and stronger. Here, standards will be interoperable, understanding will be aligned, dialogues on rules can be conducted on a regular basis, and technological sharing will continue. In the future, every country, every enterprise, and every individual involved in the WDO will genuinely participate in global data development and governance decisions, and data dividends and digital opportunities will be shared worldwide.

Source: China Youth Daily Client