It is estimated that China created more than 32 zettabytes of data in 2023, according to a survey on data resources conducted by the National Data Administration (NDA).

During a conference held from Monday to Tuesday (April 1-2), Liu Liehong, head of the NDA, announced that 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps had all established data-related institutions.

By the end of 2023, the country had installed over 1.05 million standard racks across eight national computing hubs, with an average rack utilisation rate of 61.9 per cent, 3.9 percentage points higher than that in 2022, according to Liu.

Liu also pledged to establish and improve national mechanisms for data standardisation and expedite the formulation of industry standards in the data sector.

China has stepped up efforts to bolster data-powered development.

The NDA was inaugurated in October 2023 as part of the country’s efforts to advance the planning and building of a ‘Digital China’, which includes a digital economy and society.