China to Establish National Digital Economy Innovation Pilot Zones in Seven Regions

On March 13, 2025, the National Data Administration (NDA) announced its approval for the establishment of national pilot zones for digital economy innovation and development in seven regions: Tianjin, Hebei Province (Xiong’an New Area), Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangdong Province, and Sichuan Province.

These pilot zones will focus on five key tasks: promoting market-oriented allocation of data elements, optimizing data infrastructure layout, advancing breakthroughs in core digital technologies, deepening digital transformation, and promoting digital-adaptive reforms. They will compile lists of key policies, major reforms, comprehensive authorization items, expected outcomes, and major engineering projects, and develop detailed implementation plans for approval before launching targeted trials.