China Calls for Greater Cooperation to Boost Global Digital Trade

Nairobi, Kenya — September 26, 2025 (EAT).

China has urged more robust international collaboration to expand and govern digital trade, emphasizing that technological innovation and aligned policy frameworks are essential for sustaining the momentum of the global economy.

The Latest

• At the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, Wang Dongming, Vice-Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, called on nations to work jointly to build a global digital trade governance framework that is stable, transparent and predictable. 

• He stressed that digital trade is driven by technological innovation, such as artificial intelligence, smart logistics, and new business models, and urged accelerated breakthroughs in core, strategic technologies. 

• China also pledged to align with high-standard economic and trade rules, open its digital sectors further, and create better conditions for cross-border e-commerce and data flows. 

Context & Significance

• Digital trade—comprising cross-border e-commerce, online services, digital goods, and data services—is becoming a core pillar of the modern global economy.

• Countries like China are already exporting not only hardware and manufactured goods, but also digital infrastructure, software, cloud services and AI solutions.

• The push comes amid rising tensions over data sovereignty, localization rules, and digital protectionism (e.g. regulations requiring local data storage, restrictive cross-border data flows). China’s call thus signals an attempt to shape the evolving rules of the digital economy.

Policy, Process & Governance

• Governance framework: China proposes multilateral rules for digital trade, covering areas like data flows, consumer protection, cyber security, digital taxation, intellectual property in the digital realm.

• Alignment with trade rules: Wang said China would work to align with “high-standard international economic and trade rules,” hinting at possible conformity with trade blocs or new digital trade agreements. 

• Opening up sectors: China has committed to further opening digital trade segments to foreign investment under regulated terms, while strengthening policy consistency and oversight. 

Voices & Reactions

• Wang Dongming: “We should strive to accelerate breakthroughs in key technologies, strengthen digital application models, and jointly build a stable, transparent, predictable environment for digital trade.” 

• Industry observers: Note that such calls must be matched by actual policy and enforcement—many developing economies struggle with inconsistent regulation or weak digital infrastructure.

• Partner countries: Especially in Africa and Asia, China’s existing digital corridors (e.g. through its “Digital Silk Road”) may gain momentum under such cooperation. 

Risks & Implications

• Rule competition: Competing visions for digital governance (e.g. EU’s strict privacy regime vs. U.S. open-data models) may clash with China’s proposed framework.

• Digital inequality: Without ensuring capacity and infrastructure in less developed nations, digital trade can exacerbate existing inequalities.

• Sovereignty concerns: Countries may balk at rules that limit national control over data, content, or AI models.

What’s Next / To Watch

• China’s proposals at upcoming WTO digital trade talks or other trade forums.

• Whether China pursues bilateral or multilateral digital trade pacts (e.g. with Africa, ASEAN) reflecting these principles.

• How partner countries respond—especially those in Africa—to align national ICT, data protection, and e-commerce laws.

• Rolling out new digital infrastructure, licensing, and cross-border data agreements that reflect these cooperative ambitions.