Event Recap:Cross-Border Trusted Data Space Seminar Concludes Successfully, Exploring New Paradigms for Data Exchange!

"Cross-Border Trusted Data Space: 2025 Digital Innovation Future" Symposium Successfully Held in Nansha, Guangzhou

On February 15, the "Cross-Border Trusted Data Space: 2025 Digital Innovation Future" symposium, hosted by the International Institute for Advanced Data Management (IIADM), was successfully convened in Nansha, Guangzhou.

Over 200 experts, scholars, and industry representatives from government agencies, international organizations, academia, and enterprises gathered to discuss:

Frameworks and methodologies for establishing cross-border trusted data spaces;

The operational necessity of RWA (Real-World Assets) within trusted data spaces or open platforms;

Talent development strategies for international digital economies and AI advancement.

The symposium aimed to accelerate the construction of a unified, efficient data market and advance the development of trusted data spaces as a cornerstone of modern data governance.

With the acceleration of globalization and the booming digital economy, data as a key production factor has become increasingly vital. However, challenges in compliance, security, and interoperability during cross-border data flows have emerged as major obstacles to corporate internationalization.

At the opening ceremony, Ma Huan, Chairman of DAMA China Limited (International Data Management Association China Branch), emphasized that future efforts will prioritize:

Localized development tailored to China's market needs

Innovation-driven growth to advance data management practices

Talent cultivation to nurture professionals for China's data ecosystem

He also highlighted the commitment to enhancing domestic and international collaboration and actively participating in global data governance initiatives.

Beijing DeHeng Law Firm partner Chai Yingping presented case studies from domestic and international legal practices, covering full-lifecycle data compliance governance, international governance of cross-border data flows, and promoting trusted cross-border data circulation. He provided detailed analyses of China's regulatory frameworks and EU-US legal rules, emphasizing that enterprises must adhere to international regulatory requirements when engaging in cross-border data transfers.

"Enterprises must enhance their legal awareness, prioritize compliance with relevant regulations, and avoid arbitrary data handling," Chai stressed. "I recommend establishing a robust data compliance management system across organizational, institutional, and technical dimensions to facilitate secure and trusted transnational data flows."

Under the premise of legal compliance, how can secure and trusted data circulation be achieved? Zhang Genmin, Senior Solutions Consultant of Yamu Technology Co., Ltd., posits that a data space is a distributed system defined by governance frameworks, designed to create a secure and trusted environment for data flows. By elaborating on the operational principles of Yamu's Trusted Data Space Platform—including cross-organizational identity authentication, trust collaboration mechanisms, data asset services, data space connectors, and trusted application services—he demonstrated how cross-border trusted data spaces can enable low-cost, compliant, and secure transnational data circulation and utilization.

RWA (Real World Asset tokenization) refers to the process of digitizing physical assets into blockchain-tradable digital assets, with trusted data spaces providing critical technical support. Qu Tao, Director of the Hong Kong RWA Global Industry Alliance Advisory Committee and General Manager of Guangzhou Zhitou Chaincode Technology Co., Ltd., conducted an in-depth analysis of the RWA industry's prospects in the Greater Bay Area. Using the Hainan Huanghuali (rosewood) project as a case study, he elaborated on how blockchain's unique technological features—such as immutability, transparency, and smart contracts—can unlock value for real-world assets and empowerbrick brick - and - mortar enterprises.

"I believe RWA represents a transformative new track capable of driving compliance growth inbrick - and - mortar industries," Qu emphasized, highlighting its potential to bridgetraditional finance anddigital ecosystems through compliance frameworks and cross-border collaboration.

Guo Guangzhen, Academic Committee Director of the Hong Kong RWA Global Industry Alliance, asserts that blockchain fundamentally differs from traditional internet: the latter is an information internet, while blockchain constitutes a value internet. The digital economy, as a product of integrating the internet with real-world industries, comprises two phases. The first phase involves the fusion of the information internet with real economy, whereas the second phase—exemplified by RWA (Real World Asset tokenization) via blockchain—represents a deeper convergence of value internet with real economy.

Guo emphasizes that blockchain's trustworthiness stems from its ability to anchor data to tangible assets, unlocking vast potential for real sector industries once linked to chains. Notably, the RWA industry's total market capitalization surpassed $12.7 billion in 2024, signaling its transformative trajectory.

Amid the global development of the digital economy and artificial intelligence, He Zilong, Data Governance Advisor at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), highlighted the inherent tension between data sovereignty and value creation in cross-border data governance. He argued that in data governance, the interplay of technology, policy, and market forces will propel enterprises from passive compliance to proactive value transformation—evolving from baseline regulatory adherence to operational optimization, and ultimately achieving value creation through data assetization and business model innovation.

"The pivotal enabler of this transformation lies in talent," He emphasized. "Traditional professionals in cross-border data governance often face challenges such as narrow skill sets, a disconnect between technology and business, and deficiencies in compliance awareness and global perspectives. Interdisciplinary talent, however, must master data security technologies, understand cross-border business processes, navigate domestic and international regulations, and excel in cross-departmental collaboration."

Wei Daren, Visiting Professor at City University of Hong Kong, argues that in the era of informatization and digitization, data and AI literacy can significantly enhance corporate operational efficiency and core competitiveness. However, enterprises face challenges such as rapid technological iterations, high costs in talent cultivation, and data privacy protection when advancing data and AI literacy. He recommends that companies:

Prioritize strategic focus by establishing comprehensive data management systems

Increase investment in AI R&D to drive technological innovation

Strengthen employee training in data and AI literacy to bridge skill gaps

Foster a culture of innovation to align organizational practices with digital transformation goals.

During the roundtable forum, participating experts and corporate representatives engaged in a lively debate on three key themes:

DeepSeek’s Role in Driving the New AI Wave,

How Data Assets and Talent Can Empower Organizational Growth, and

Strategies for Expanding Overseas to Unlock New Business Opportunities.

At the meeting, Zhang Hua, Secretary-General of the Preparatory Committee for the Data Asset Comprehensive Service Working Committee of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) National Multi-Functional Economic and Trade Platform, represented the organization and provided guests with an introduction to the SCO National Multi-Functional Economic and Trade Platform. He outlined the platform's foundational aspects, developmental achievements, and the objectives, vision, and key operations of the preparatory committee. Looking ahead, the committee plans to collaborate with outstanding domestic and international enterprises to actively engage in practical initiatives surrounding cross-border trusted data spaces, RWA (Real-World Asset) tokenization of physical assets, and the establishment of a global data literacy talent cultivation platform.

Following the presentations, Dr. Wu Dayou, the forum initiator, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Data Asset Comprehensive Service Working Committee of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) National Multi-Functional Economic and Trade Platform, and Secretary-General of the International Institute for Advanced Data Management, took the stage to present plaques to the Designated Collaborating Units of the Trusted Data Space initiative.

In an interview with journalists, Dr. Wu Dayou stated that the value flow within the unified data market has already commenced. He advocated for increased research and implementation of compliant data financial products, such as the promotion and compliance studies of RWA (Real-World Asset) tokenization, to strengthen the theoretical foundation and broaden the practical scope of China's data industry. This, he believes, will position trusted data spaces as a robust pillar for modern data governance.

Currently, the construction of the Nansha International Data Free Trade Port is underway. Chairman Wu Dayou suggested that Nansha should intensify efforts to cultivate international data talent by partnering with authoritative international data think tanks. The goal is to establish Nansha as the "Whampoa Military Academy" for data professionals, serving as a vanguard for China's participation in global data industry competition.

The event concluded with great success! We are confident that, under the guidance and support of the International Institute for Advanced Data Management and the Preparatory Committee for the Data Asset Comprehensive Service Working Committee of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) National Multi-Functional Economic and Trade Platform, the regional, national, and global data asset endeavors will continue to thrive vigorously!

文案参考自：南方+记者 卢晓科