China is taking a significant step towards enhancing data security, transparency, and scalability with the unveiling of its “National Data Infrastructure Construction Guidelines.” The guidelines, released by the National Development and Reform Commission and other agencies, emphasize the pivotal role of blockchain technology in the country’s digital transformation strategy.
At the core of the plan is the development of blockchain-powered infrastructure to facilitate trusted data exchange across industries and regions. The goal is to create secure data circulation, ensure traceability, and prevent tampering as China works towards building a national integrated data market.
The timeline for implementing this ambitious project is set to be completed by 2029, with a phased approach. Pilot projects will be launched between 2024 and 2026 in key regions to refine blockchain frameworks and test real-world applications. By 2028, these pilot programs will transition into fully integrated national blockchain networks, enabling large-scale data flow between provinces, sectors, and public-private partnerships.
One of the key features of the plan is the establishment of “trusted data spaces” that leverage blockchain technology to enable seamless multi-party data sharing while maintaining privacy, integrity, and ownership rights. These decentralized environments will address data governance challenges by creating immutable records of data transactions, ensuring data provenance verification and regulatory compliance. Industries such as cross-border logistics, supply chain management, e-commerce, and financial services are expected to benefit significantly from these trusted spaces.
The guidelines also propose the creation of “data markets” on blockchain networks, allowing for the tokenization of data assets, fractional ownership, monetization, and secure trading across platforms. This innovation is poised to unlock new revenue streams and incentivize data sharing on a large scale.
Furthermore, the plan includes the development of blockchain-powered platforms tailored to specific industries, with pilot projects testing decentralized applications (dApps) in sectors like digital finance, green energy, and smart manufacturing by 2026. These platforms will facilitate data interoperability between enterprises, accelerating the adoption of blockchain technology across various industries.
In addition to data sharing, the guidelines prioritize the security of the infrastructure itself. Plans are in place to integrate blockchain with advanced privacy-enhancing technologies such as secure multi-party computation, homomorphic encryption, and zero-knowledge proofs. This combination will enable sensitive data to be processed and analyzed without exposure, addressing privacy concerns in sectors like healthcare and finance.
The initiative also includes the creation of blockchain-based monitoring systems for real-time data integrity checks to protect against unauthorized access, leaks, and cyber threats. By decentralizing control over critical data flows, the initiative aims to enhance national data resilience and reduce single points of failure.
Overall, China’s National Data Infrastructure Construction Guidelines underscore the country’s commitment to leveraging blockchain technology for enhancing data security, transparency, and scalability as part of its digital transformation journey.