China appoints head of national data bureau

China on Friday appointed Liu Liehong, chairman of the State-owned telecom giant China Unicom, as the head of its national data bureau, a move analysts believe will better coordinate the integration, sharing, development and application of the country's data resources.

Pan Helin, co-director of the Digital Economy and Financial Innovation Research Center at Zhejiang University's International Business School, said Liu has worked in electronics and information technology for many years, and his appointment as the head of the first director of national data bureau is in accordance with China’s efforts to promote the development of digital economy and accelerate the construction of basic systems for data.

Liu, 54, has been the chairman of China Unicom since August 2021. He took over that role after serving as the vice-minister of industry and information technology from June 2020 to August 2021.

So far, the national data bureau hasn’t been officially unveiled. China announced plans to establish a national data bureau in March as part of a sweeping government reshuffle.

The bureau, to be administered by the National Development and Reform Commission, will be responsible for advancing the development of data-related fundamental institutions and pushing forward the planning and building of a digital China, the digital economy and a digital society.

In February, China rolled out a plan for the overall layout of the country's digital development, stating that important progress will be made in the construction of a digital China by 2025.

China also appointed Liu Jun as the deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Friday.