China Unveils 2026 SCO Digital Economy Forum and Cross-Border Data Pilots

China's National Data Administration announced that the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Digital Economy Forum will be held in Urumqi, Xinjiang, from September 14 to 16, convening roughly 500 government officials, experts, and industry leaders. Alongside the summit, authorities launched the country's first batch of international data cooperation pilots across 10 locations, including Shanghai, Hainan, and key hubs in Guangdong and Fujian. The pilots aim to test cross-border data flow facilitation, digital infrastructure connectivity, and international data standard alignment.

The parallel rollouts demonstrate Beijing's coordinated strategy to advance regional digital governance while testing cross-border data mechanisms domestically. As multilateral data governance frameworks fragment globally, China is leveraging the SCO platform and targeted local regulatory sandboxes to build practical digital corridors and institutionalize data trade standards across Eurasia.

China will hold the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Digital Economy Forum in Urumqi, Xinjiang, from September 14 to 16, the National Data Administration announced at a press conference in Beijing. Yu Ying, deputy director of the National Data Administration, stated that the forum will convene approximately 500 delegates under the theme "Connecting the SCO with Data, Powering the Future with Intelligence." Over 200 international guests, including government officials and think tank representatives from SCO member states, are expected to attend. The event follows the inaugural SCO Digital Economy Forum held in Tianjin in July 2025. According to the National Data Administration, the Urumqi forum will follow a "1+1+4+N" format. This includes one ministerial closed-door meeting, an opening plenary session, four thematic forums focused on digital connectivity, digital trade, industrial applications, and digital governance, along with supporting site inspections across 13 locations in Xinjiang covering green computing, smart logistics, and cross-border trade. The closed-door ministerial session is expected to deliberate on the SCO Key Cooperation List in the Digital Economy Field (2026–2027) to formalize multilateral initiatives. Alongside the forum announcement, the administration revealed that China has launched its first batch of international data cooperation pilots across 10 locations. The selected regions comprise Shanghai; Hainan; Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou in Fujian province; Changsha in Hunan province; Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hengqin in Guangdong province; and Nanning in Guangxi. The pilots are designed to explore new models for international digital economic cooperation, focusing on facilitating cross-border data flows, connecting digital infrastructure, aligning data rules, and establishing mutual recognition of standards. The National Data Administration outlined 20 specific pilot tasks across six core areas, instructing participating localities to implement customized, practical measures tailored to their regional economic strengths.