China Accelerates Digital Infrastructure Rollout via Data Factor Initiative Pilots

According to official updates from the National Data Administration, China’s ongoing Data Factor Multiplication Initiative is speeding up the construction and operational deployment of national data infrastructure, driving systematic technological iteration and industrial scenario implementation across multiple sectors.

Two batches of pilot programmes have been launched to test and refine core digital infrastructure technologies. The initiative prioritises six technical routes including privacy-preserving computation, blockchain, trusted data space, data field, data networking and data component application. It also integrates emerging technical directions such as data weaving, data mesh and ontology optimisation to enrich China’s digital technology system and adapt to evolving industrial demands.

The pilot projects have achieved substantial scalable outcomes after steady implementation. Covering 15 industrial sectors and 43 cities nationwide, the programmes have collaborated with 19,000 industrial ecological entities. A total of 38,000 standardised data products have been launched on public service platforms, supporting more than 270 practical industrial application scenarios. These deployments enable data elements to circulate efficiently and deliver tangible value across broader industrial and regional domains.

To further deepen technological exploration and practical integration, the annual national Data Factor Multiplication Competition has added a dedicated data infrastructure track. The new competition segment adopts a competition-driven application model that integrates construction and practical usage. It strengthens the coupling mechanism between digital infrastructure development and real-world scenario adoption, facilitating iterative upgrading of core technical routes and standard verification for industrial implementation.

The upgraded competition mechanism creates an open innovation platform for technical optimisation and industrial validation. It encourages cross-industry participants to explore tailored infrastructure solutions, bridging the gap between theoretical technological research and large-scale commercial deployment. Standardised technical parameters and practical experience accumulated from competition projects will support the unified construction of national digital infrastructure systems.

As China’s digital economy enters an intensive development phase, sound data infrastructure has become a fundamental support for activating data element value. The continuous expansion of pilot coverage and technological iteration will further standardise data circulation, improve resource allocation efficiency and empower the digital transformation of traditional industries. More innovative and replicable data application models will emerge to fuel high-quality digital economic development.