On October 10th, the State Council Information Office hosted a press conference focused on the development and utilization of public data resources. During the event, Zhang Wang, the Director of the Data Resource Department at the National Data Bureau, remarked that the authorization and operation of public data in China is still in its early stages.

Just a day before, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the General Office of the State Council made headlines by releasing the “Opinions on Accelerating the Development and Utilization of Public Data Resources,” which garnered significant interest across various sectors.

A reporter posed an important question during the conference: “The concept of ‘authorized operation of public data’ seems to be relatively new, and many localities and departments are beginning to explore its practical applications. Have there been any successful experiences or results established so far? What are the next steps?”

Zhang responded by emphasizing that the “Opinions” encourage the exploration of public data authorization and operation, in line with directives from the Central Committee and the State Council aimed at building a foundational data system to enhance data utilization. He described this as a pivotal move toward establishing clear data ownership rights and a key advancement in categorizing and tiering the authorization processes for public, enterprise, and personal data.

He acknowledged that public data authorization and operation efforts are still in their infancy, noting that several regions—such as Beijing, Shanghai, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hainan, and Guizhou—along with sectors like human resources, meteorology, and electricity, have begun to investigate these initiatives. Zhang pointed out that areas including Anhui, Hainan, Chengdu, and Qingdao have already developed specific policies or regulations regarding authorized operations. Across the country, numerous provinces and municipalities have launched operational platforms or dedicated sections, setting the stage for the formulation of the “Opinions” and providing valuable insights into successful practices.

The “Opinions” encapsulate effective strategies and address various concerns, highlighting the importance of balancing relationships among government and market forces, efficiency and equity, as well as development and security. They underscore three critical areas: resource management, implementation of authorizations, and operational oversight.

In terms of resource management, there is a push to create a public data registration system, establish a comprehensive directory of public data resources, and implement graded and categorized data management practices. This initiative aims to enhance data quality and expand resource availability.

Regarding the implementation of authorizations, the “Opinions” mandate that public data operation authorizations be integrated into the decision-making processes for significant matters, leading to a formal authorization and operational mechanism. This includes clarifying conditions for authorization, operational models, and exit strategies. Pilot projects are encouraged to develop industry or regional operating organizations, allowing for a moderate separation of management and operations while safeguarding the legal rights of all parties involved.

For operational oversight, it is crucial to delineate management and operational responsibilities, ensuring comprehensive supervision over the entire lifecycle of data resource production, processing, utilization, and product operation. Additionally, a disclosure mechanism for authorization operations is necessary, requiring public listings of data products and service capabilities to be made available for societal oversight, while also ensuring that operating entities avoid engaging in unfair competition.

Looking ahead, the National Data Bureau plans to actively encourage localities and departments to embody the spirit of the “Opinions.” This includes leading initiatives in areas such as institutional mechanisms, standard authorization processes, pricing frameworks, and revenue distribution, with the ultimate goal of collaboratively discovering practical pathways and nurturing a supportive ecosystem for the development and utilization of public data resources.