PBOC unveils national data catalogue to boost tech finance, data sharing

China's central bank has launched a national data catalogue to accelerate data development and utilization in technology finance, as part of stepped-up efforts to strengthen data sharing and integration to better support innovation-driven growth.

According to a statement released by the People's Bank of China on Wednesday, the PBOC, together with eight other authorities, had issued a circular on enhancing data development and utilization in the field of technology finance — financial services that support technology-oriented enterprises and innovation.

The circular introduced the first edition of the national catalogue for technology finance data development and utilization, covering 26 data indicators across eight categories, including enterprise lists and technology attributes, imports and exports, investment and financing, business operations, research and development spending, intellectual property, innovation capability assessments and corporate needs.

The circular encourages local governments to develop region-specific technology finance data catalogues, build provincial-level supporting information infrastructure and improve connectivity among existing information systems.

Local authorities are encouraged to provide authorized information access channels for technology enterprises and promote services such as information inquiries and joint data modeling.

The circular also calls for strengthened security management throughout the data lifecycle and effective prevention of data risks.

The PBOC said it will promote implementation of the measures to improve the sharing of public technology information and provide stronger data and financial support for achieving greater self-reliance in science and technology.