Digital News

　　On November 11, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a special press briefing to introduce measures for further promoting the development of private investment. When discussing investment in the digital economy, an official from the Digital Economy Department of the National Data Administration stated that efforts will focus on leveraging the enabling role of data and strengthening policy and institutional support. By opening application scenarios, integrating data resources, and fostering model innovation, the Administration aims to better guide and support private investment in intelligent transformation, digital transition, and network connectivity.

　　First, promoting the opening of application scenarios. Focusing on major national strategies, key bottlenecks in economic and social development, and issues of public concern, efforts will target priority sectors such as industrial manufacturing, transportation, electric power and energy, healthcare, and modern agriculture. Leading enterprises and third-party service providers will be supported in building comprehensive digital empowerment platforms. Driven by scenario-based needs—including supply-demand matching and production-capacity coordination—the initiative will promote the aggregation and integrated application of data at critical points along industrial and supply chains, thereby providing guidance and open scenarios for digital transformation.

　　Second, strengthening foundational support. To address persistent challenges related to the trusted flow of data across regions and entities, pilot programs for building urban and sector-specific data infrastructure will be rolled out. The initiative will promote data interconnection and interoperability, create a secure and trustworthy environment for data integration and application, and work to eliminate obstacles hindering the circulation and use of data.

　　Third, expanding investment space. Efforts will be made to actively develop the data industry, support the establishment of data-labeling bases, and launch pilot programs for building high-quality datasets, thereby opening up new investment avenues and encouraging various forms of private capital to increase their investment in the data sector. Driven by data as a key production factor and by digital technologies, enterprises will be further empowered to achieve intelligent decision-making, customized design, flexible production, low-inventory and efficient circulation, and end-to-end financial services, thereby fostering new tracks for data-driven intelligent transformation.

　　According to the briefing, moving forward, the National Data Administration will leverage the digital economy’s vast potential for effective investment and its strong capacity to drive broader development. It will further stimulate enterprises’ internal motivation for transformation and expand new areas of investment demand.

　　First, enhancing the stock. Efforts will be made to advance major digital transformation projects in depth while simultaneously building the technological and commercial ecosystems required for transformation. Key protocols and standards for data infrastructure will be improved. Cross-domain data control, along with data circulation that is manageable, controllable, and measurable, will be gradually realized. The development of comprehensive digital empowerment platforms will be strengthened to foster a digital transformation ecosystem in which technologies are accessible, costs are manageable, and business models are sustainable. Second, expanding the increment. Currently, many localities are advancing citywide digital transformation and intensifying efforts to build urban intelligent hubs, smart sensing systems, and the digital upgrading of traditional infrastructure. The National Data Administration will strengthen guidance, refine relevant policies, and broaden the space for effective investment, while promoting the formation of an application ecosystem for independent and controllable digital technologies, products, and equipment. Third, innovating models. Given the light-asset characteristics of digital transformation projects, such as data governance and software system deployment, the National Data Administration will explore targeted measures for their management and guidance. It will also promote the incorporation of digital transformation services into cost accounting, pricing, and procurement systems. New contractual models for data services will be explored. For example, parties may share the benefits of digital transformation as stipulated in contracts, jointly identify application pathways, and distribute gains once value is realized. These approaches will help shift transformation services toward value co-creation. A group of specialized service providers dedicated to data governance and digital transformation will be cultivated.