Amid the omnipresent tide of the digital age, January 28 marked another Data Privacy Day. Data protection has gone far beyond static notions of "privacy protection," shifting instead toward a more dynamic focus: how to ensure the free and orderly flow of data within stringent security safeguards. Consequently, data is no longer just a technical concern; it has instead become a strategic choice shaping future development.

As the "fifth factor of production," after land, labor, capital and technology, data is as vital to human development as a foundation is to a building, or fuel is to an engine. From the perspective of national-level competition, data sovereignty represents a critical extension of state sovereignty in the digital era. Technological evolution relies on high-quality data as the driving force behind rapid advancement of AI. The quality of data and ethical principles governing its use significantly influence the direction taken by an intelligent society.

The global landscape of data governance, however, is influenced by a proliferation of competing rules. This ramps up digital competition and regulatory rivalry between Europe and the United States, which highlights the urgency of establishing international rules that are secure, fair and orderly. In addition, barriers and divisions are impeding the legitimate global circulation of data as a factor of production, presenting a shared challenge for the international community to overcome obstacles and unblock channels.

During this historic process, China has been an active participant and a constructive contributor. It is committed to promoting a governance framework that balances security and development and coordinates order with circulation on multilateral international platforms, offering a mutually beneficial "Chinese solution" to the formulation of global rules. The success of this process lies in China's own domestic practice and in-depth exploration of coordinating data security with data factor market reforms.

Recently, the national data work conference, held in December 2025, designated 2026 as the year of promoting the value of data resources, a significant decision. It was made on the back of the macroeconomy's urgent need for new sources of growth, marking a critical stage for testing and actioning the basic systems for data and major projects built during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). This reflects the inevitable conditions for developing new quality productive forces for high-quality data supply. While the market seeks a smooth flow of data, success means more than placing data on platforms; rather, it lies in ensuring that data creates value as it circulates.

The true essence of the "Chinese solution" means exploring an innovative path toward efficient and orderly data flows. Through constant domestic innovation, market cultivation and technological safeguards — such as accelerating the development of a secure, open and unified national data market, building infrastructure for cross-border data flow services, and formulating industry-specific guidelines for cross-border data transfers — China is providing credible and workable examples for international rule-making. Participating in, and advancing international regulatory dialogue, shapes a growing consensus that ultimately influences domestic governance. This creates a virtuous cycle, where internal momentum and external engagement reinforce each other.

Eventually, these efforts seek to realize data's potential of data as a factor of production and empower all sectors of the economy. Only by ensuring the smooth flow of data and making effective use of its power, can we effectively manage the digital civilization — safeguarding the present while shaping a sustainable digital future.