China’s presence in the digital economy is large, with its focus on big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, digital trade, standards, intellectual property (IP) and innovation. Further, digital governance in China constitutes a significant global issue at the intersection of technology and international governance. Research and analysis on the status and future development of China’s practices in the governance of data, AI and other emerging technologies, and its participation in digital trade, would shed some light on its digital governance strategy and international implications. At the same time, the ongoing technological and trade decoupling between the United States and China may have dimmed the future of digital economy and high-tech development in China. The long-awaited Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress in October 2022 wrapped with an unprecedented third term for President Xi Jinping as the party’s general secretary and with consolidated power for Xi and his loyalists packed in the top echelons of leadership — not seen since Chairman Mao — leaving more questions and uncertainties for China’s future. What do these latest developments mean for China’s digital governance, in particular the governance of data, AI and other emerging technologies, and China’s participation in digital trade? It is now time to explore the possible impacts of the latest developments on digital governance in China.
This workshop will focus on three critical areas examining China’s recent initiatives in digital governance and address the following points:
- What is the status of data regulations and laws in China and what are the latest developments?
- How does China’s data governance system balance among national security concerns, bolstering economic development and protecting individual privacy?
- What roles do data regulations in the European Union, the United States and other countries play in the formation of China’s data governance system?
- What does the regulatory crackdown on China’s high-tech companies mean for digital platform governance in China? What role does China’s Anti-monopoly Law play in the regulatory crackdown on high-tech companies and platform governance?
- What is the status of the AI industry and governance of AI and algorithms in China, and what are the latest developments?
- What are the important legal and regulatory issues that need to be addressed in terms of AI and algorithm governance in China?
- What is the status quo and future of China’s developments in emerging technologies such as big data and AI, data centres and cloud computing, 5G and the Internet of Things, supercomputing and so forth, in the face of growing technological decoupling between the United States and China, as well as the sweeping US chip export bans on China?
- What kind of future does China’s semiconductor industry have in the wake of the comprehensive US ban on exporting chips and chip-manufacturing technology to China?
- What role does the Digital Silk Road play in the growth of emerging technologies and standard setting in China?
- What do the latest guidelines, regulations, standards and measures for cross-border data flows mean for businesses and data processors within and beyond China?
- What do the guidelines, regulations, standards and measures for cross-border data flows mean for China’s participation in digital trade? What do they mean for China’s submission to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement? What role does IP play in China’s participation in digital trade?
- What are the international implications of the governance of data, AI and emerging technologies in China and its participation in digital trade?
