China Outlines Ambitious Plans for National Data Infrastructure with Blockchain Integration

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Chinese authorities have unveiled a comprehensive policy framework to advance the country’s national data infrastructure, with plans to incorporate blockchain technology as a key component.

The initiative, announced in a guidance document released Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other agencies, aims to establish a unified national data market by 2029. Officials noted that China’s data infrastructure is still in its early developmental stages.

Although cryptocurrency trading and mining remain prohibited in China, the government has embraced blockchain applications that operate on permissioned networks without tokens. The policy document highlights blockchain’s role as a core pillar of the new data infrastructure. Specifically, blockchain, encryption technologies, and smart contracts will be utilized to create standardized frameworks for data assets and transaction certificates, enhancing both traceability and reliability.

“Industries and local governments are encouraged to actively explore and develop new technological infrastructures, including blockchain networks and privacy-preserving computing platforms,” the guidance stated.

Zhulin Shen, deputy director of the National Data Administration, revealed during a press briefing on Monday that projects related to the national data infrastructure are projected to attract direct investments of approximately 400 billion yuan ($54.5 billion) annually. Over the next five years, these efforts are expected to drive total investments amounting to 2 trillion yuan ($272.7 billion).

Strategic Goals for Blockchain Implementation

As part of the broader data infrastructure initiative, the Chinese government aims to establish a standardized system for managing data transactions and asset certification. This effort will leverage blockchain’s potential to ensure trust, security, and transparency in data exchanges. By encouraging experimentation and innovation at both the industry and local government levels, the policy seeks to position China as a global leader in data-driven technology.