Nation's First International Data Cooperation Pilot Program Launched in Shanghai

Shanghai today officially launched the pilot program for international cooperation in the data sector, marking the first nationwide initiative under the National Data Administration.

Announced during Tech Week Shanghai, the program outlines a strategic roadmap to build an upgraded international data ecosystem by 2030, aimed at accelerating the digital economy and scaling digital services globally.

The initiative comprises six major focus areas and 17 specific tasks. By 2030, Shanghai envisions a framework defined by cutting-edge infrastructure, mutual regulatory recognition and integrated application scenarios. Key priorities include deepening cross-border infrastructure, institutional innovation, and aligning international data regulations.

Strategic highlights:

Infrastructure & Security: Develop interconnected systems for secure, open cross-border data flows.

Regulatory Alignment: Establish data standards based on mutual trust, specifically targeting cooperation with hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Innovation Hubs: Set up demonstration zones in Lingang, Pudong and Hongqiao to pioneer cross-border data services in fintech, data compliance and digital content.

Industry leaders at the Tech Week forum highlighted the practical shift toward AI integration. Yu Kai, CEO of Horizon Robotics, detailed the company's evolution from an NVIDIA rival in the automotive chip space to a dual-core business also covering robotics powerhouse. Its subsidiary, D Robotics, is currently scaling AI chip adoption in products ranging from smart vacuums to humanoid robots.

Similarly, Shanghai-based UCloud is aggressively expanding its global footprint. With 33 availability zones across 26 regions, UCloud now integrates over 200 mainstream AI models, including DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen. Liu Jie, Vice President of UCloud, announced the opening of five new overseas zones this half-year – already built in Denver of the US, Karachi of Pakistan and Almaty of Kazakhstan – with nodes in Uzbekistan and Mexico set to follow soon.

"Our goal is to provide a 'one-click' AI infrastructure for Chinese enterprises expanding abroad," Liu said.

The event, which runs till tomorrow, also features industrial, building automation and data center solutions from global giants including Honeywell and Siemens.