Zhejiang province approves China’s first local law focusing on the digital economy
- The legislation was hailed by tech leaders as a milestone for the ‘governing the digital industry according to the law’
- Zhejiang’s new regulations come amid a countrywide focus on data and digital infrastructure
Legislators in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, home to tech giants like Alibaba Group Holding and NetEase, have introduced regulations dedicated to the development of the digital economy in the first such regional law for the burgeoning industry.
Titled “Regulations of Zhejiang Province on Promoting Digital Economy”, the document lays out guidelines for the development of data sharing, digital infrastructure and the digitalisation of its industries. The law, which takes effect in March 2021, also clarifies how city governments in Zhejiang should handle data collected by city-level administrative agencies.
The legislation was hailed by tech leaders as a milestone for “governing the digital industry according to the law”.
It will “fully activate governments of all levels to ensure and boost the development of the local digital economy,” said James Tian Ning, chairman of Hangzhou-based cloud company Panshi Group, adding that he expects more regions in China to roll out similar regulations.
In particular, the law focuses on data as regulators worldwide are seeking a balance between privacy and data sharing.
The regulation states that local authorities are responsible for the accuracy of public data they collect, and that they must ensure open access in a secure, convenient and efficient manner, and encourage corporations, social groups and individuals to share their own data resources through collaboration and the implementation of new policies.