Qianhai, a key hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, unveiled a trio of cross-border data products on July 7 aimed at accelerating secure data exchange between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, marking a milestone in the region’s efforts to build a globally connected digital economy.

At a launch event held at the Qianhai International Talent Port, officials introduced three flagship initiatives: the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Data Center, the Qianhai Medical Cross-Border Data Space, and a compliance platform tailored for Chinese companies expanding overseas. The event also marked the official launch of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong node of the “International Trusted Cross-Border Data Space,” signaling deeper integration with international data governance frameworks.

From Concept to Capability

The newly launched initiatives are designed to support a secure and scalable flow of data across borders, combining advanced infrastructure with regulatory compliance and business-ready applications. The platform is anchored in a “technology + scenario + service” model that reflects a practical, layered approach to data governance.

Reinhold Achatz, Chair of the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), emphasized that IDS standards, rooted in the concept of sovereign data exchange, help bridge the trust gap and reduce compliance risks in cross-border scenarios. “The Shenzhen-Hong Kong node will be instrumental in breaking data silos and connecting the Greater Bay Area to the global data economy,” he said.

Dr. Liu Dong, Director of the National Engineering Center for Next-Generation Internet, noted that data spaces are moving beyond technical frameworks into operational ecosystems. “Standardization is just the beginning. Institutional design, industrial cooperation, and international alignment are essential to making cross-border data flows both free and controllable,” he remarked.

IDSA, established in 2018, promotes the secure, trusted, and interoperable exchange of data. The association now spans 28 countries and over 140 members, including Google, Microsoft, Siemens, and Tsinghua University.

New Data Infrastructure with Commercial Traction

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Data Center is a joint effort by Qianhai Big Data Resource Management Center, Hong Kong CU Data, and China Unicom’s Hong Kong R&D Institute. It leverages a “physical isolation + dedicated line” approach to achieve secure cross-border connectivity, addressing Hong Kong institutions' reliance on overseas cloud services while lowering costs related to computing and storage. The center has already secured its first commercial user, Hong Kong-based Road King Infrastructure Limited.

The Qianhai Medical Cross-Border Data Space, developed in collaboration with healthcare and telecom partners from both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, uses data space technologies to improve cross-border medical services. Its initial use case enables efficient medical and insurance data sharing between hospitals and insurers, streamlining access to mainland healthcare services for Hong Kong residents. Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital is piloting the service.

A third platform, focused on outbound data compliance for Chinese enterprises, was co-developed with ZTE Corporation. The platform offers end-to-end services, including regulatory mapping, risk assessment, AI-powered data classification, and anonymization—helping companies navigate increasingly complex international data regulations.

Looking Ahead

Qianhai plans to build on its role as a digital conduit between mainland China and the global economy by continuing to invest in cross-border data infrastructure. Upcoming priorities include the development of a secure Shenzhen-Hong Kong data corridor and an offshore data center in Qianhai. These efforts aim to support China’s broader goals of optimizing data as a production factor and enhancing the dual circulation strategy.

By creating practical, compliance-ready pathways for cross-border data flows, Qianhai is positioning itself as a regional node in the evolving global data economy—where secure, scalable, and trusted data exchange is becoming as essential as trade and capital flow.