The Regulations for Promoting Digital Economy in Beijing (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations) have been in effect since January 1, 2023.
The Regulations establish provisions in the following key areas:
I. Consolidating the Material and Technological Foundations for Digital Economy Development
First, the Regulations stipulate accelerated development of information network infrastructure. This includes support for constructing next-generation high-speed fixed broadband and mobile communication networks, satellite internet, and quantum communication networks, and other network infrastructure. Second, the Regulations promote the construction of computing power infrastructure. Third, the Regulations strengthen the development of new-technology infrastructure. This involves advancing the construction of infrastructure for new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data, while supporting the establishment of generic technology platforms for general-purpose algorithms, foundational technologies, and open-source hardware and software.
The Regulations also establish provisions governing data collection, utilization, opening, trading, and benefit distribution of data as a factor of production. Specifically, they include: strengthening the supply of high-quality data resources; innovating the development and utilization mechanisms for data as a factor of production; and accelerating the market-oriented circulation of data.
II. Legislative Exploration on Beijing's Approach to Strengthening and Expanding the Digital Economy
The Regulations promote the integrated development of the digital and real economies by advancing both digital industrialization and industrial digitalization.
The Regulations stipulate the accelerated advancement of digital industrialization through: enhancing innovation capabilities in key technologies; improving the competitiveness of core industries; and accelerating the cultivation of new business formats and models.
The Regulations require advancing the industrial digitalization through: establishing a sound security assurance system and industrial ecosystem; accelerating the digital transformation and upgrading of enterprises; and comprehensively deepening the digital transformation of key industries.
III. Ensuring That Economic Development Outcomes Benefit the People's Well-being and Contribute to a Better Life
First, the Regulations promote: the construction of a smart city; the advancement of one-network application handling of digital government services ("One-Net Service"); enhanced government's smart performance capabilities; and progress in data-driven governance at the grassroots level, so as to provide greater convenience for the public in accessing services.
Second, the Regulations encourage: the opening of application scenarios to guide market entities' participation in smart city construction; and the development of digital accessibility, the improvement of the public's digital literacy and skills, and other measures to ensure the opportunities and benefits of the digital economy are accessible to all.
Third, the Regulations mandate improvements in: (i) self-governance of platform enterprises and governmental governance; and (ii) data security management and personal privacy protection, to ensure the safe and orderly development of the digital economy.
IV. Strengthening Digital Economy Security to Ensure Its Steady, Sustained Development
First, the Regulations mandate the enhancement of data security assurance levels. This involves: establishing a sound coordination mechanism for data security work; taking measures to strengthen monitoring, early warning, and emergency response capabilities; and requiring that data processing activities are conducted under established data governance and compliance operation systems.
Second, the Regulations mandate the strengthening of network security protection capabilities, including: implementing prioritized protection for critical information infrastructure; and building a joint prevention and control mechanism for security risks.
Third, the Regulations mandate effective prevention of various risks. Measures include: establishing and improving governance rules and regulatory methods for the platform economy; and encouraging platform enterprises to establish online dispute resolution mechanisms and channels.
