World may find itself ‘in a very Chinese time’ of data governance

China inaugurated the World Data Organisation in Beijing at the end of March, aimed at "bridging the data divide, unlocking data’s value, and powering the digital economy." This move signals a broader trend, as Beijing has developed a distinct data governance strategy over recent years to drive AI development, reshaping the terms of technological competition. Since late 2025, Beijing has pursued an aggressive AI adoption policy, reflecting its commitment to enhancing its position in this vital field.