China and Global Digital Trade Reports Unveiled at Hangzhou Expo, Highlighting AI Integration and Female Entrepreneurship
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Two landmark reports outlining the trajectory of China's and the world's digital trade were released during the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo, which concluded on September 29 with investment and trade intentions totaling RMB 161.98 billion ($22.79 billion).
Co-organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Global Digital Trade Expo Committee, the event also introduced China's first national industry standard for digital deliverable trade, signaling a significant step toward harmonizing cross-border digital commerce practices.
China's Digital Trade Landscape: Policies, Growth, and Opportunities
Kong Dejun, Director-General of the Trade in Services Department at China's Ministry of Commerce, presented the China Digital Trade Development Report 2025, which offers a comprehensive review of trends, policy developments, and sectoral shifts shaping the country's digital trade ecosystem since 2024.
The report is structured into three sections: an overview, practical case studies, and thematic analyses—making it a timely reference for businesses and policymakers seeking to align with China's digital trade priorities, especially in AI, cloud services, and cross-border e-commerce.
A Global Snapshot: Measurement,
Policies, and Inclusion
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Robert Elliott Skidmore, Director of Sector Competitiveness at ITC, introduced the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2025, which provides an updated measurement of worldwide digital trade scale and examines emerging trends in policy, enabling technologies, and inclusive trade.
The report is designed to support governments and SMEs in navigating the expanding digital trade landscape—particularly through tools and frameworks that help smaller players access global markets.
Setting a Common Language:
China's First Digital Trade Classification Standard
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A key outcome of the conference was the release of the Digital Deliverable Trade Classification and Coding standard, introduced by Li Jun, Secretary-General of the Digital Trade Standardization Technical Committee of China's Ministry of Commerce.
The standard establishes a unified framework for defining and categorizing digitally delivered trade—a move expected to enhance transparency, support data collection, and facilitate international regulatory alignment.
Building Bridges for Data and Digital Commerce
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In the increasingly contentious arena of cross-border data governance, the FTZ adopts a pragmatic "negative list" approach to data transfers. Companies handling data categories not appearing on the restricted list are exempted from security assessment requirements - though they remain obligated to fulfill data protection responsibilities. This calibrated stance aims to balance operational practicality with security considerations, potentially reducing compliance timelines for routine international data exchanges.
The digital economy framework extends beyond data mobility to encompass comprehensive digital trade facilitation. The regulation promotes cross-border digital identity authentication pilots, electronic invoice interoperability, and industry-specific data hubs for artificial intelligence and biotechnology. These initiatives position Shanghai as a laboratory for digital governance models that could eventually influence broader regional standards.
Technology companies are cautiously optimistic. "While the negative list approach doesn't eliminate compliance complexity, it does create more predictable pathways for routine data transfers supporting our regional research collaboration," shared the China regulatory affairs director at a multinational pharmaceutical company.
AI Reshaping Trade
Women Gaining Ground
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In expert panels featuring representatives from the World Economic Forum (WEF), UNCTAD, and leading Chinese research institutes, discussions highlighted AI's transformative impact on trade models and global value chains.
Another session focused on empowering women in digital trade, with UNCTAD's “eTrade for Women” advocates and female entrepreneurs like Michelle Chai, CEO of Kintry, sharing how digital platforms are enabling greater participation and leadership among women in cross-border commerce.
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