Xi'an Expo White Paper Tightens Data Flow Rules

The 7th Western Digital Economy Expo wrapped up in Xi'an on June 28. For the first time, the event included a "Digital Economy Enterprise Going Global" exchange session. Organizers released the "Silk Road Cross-Border Data Flow and Operations White Paper," which lays out standards for digital trade among Belt and Road countries. A separate "GEO Industry Standard Self-Regulatory Convention" was also signed.

The white paper provides a framework for standardized cross-border data flows. Multinationals that transfer data across borders, such as Apple (AAPL), may need to update compliance procedures to align with the standards.

Xi'an is building out digital infrastructure to support these goals. In 2025, core digital economy industries above the designated size hit 129 billion yuan, or 9.28% of GDP. The city has launched five new-infrastructure initiatives covering networks, cloud, computing, data, and security. It has also released 303 application requirements across smart tourism and XR. Technology centers for open-source chip and AI algorithms are operational. The city has built an enterprise environment through echelon building and white-list arrangements, attracting companies like Huawei and JD.com.

The "Going Global" event marks a shift. Xi'an is no longer just a destination for industrial transfer. It is exporting digital capabilities. That could mean more competition for foreign tech firms in Belt and Road markets. It could also mean more regulatory friction for those operating inside China.

The white paper and self-regulatory convention are available from the expo organizers. The next WDEE Expo is scheduled for 2027.