The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its 22nd briefing session on issues of major concern in Beijing on Jan 15, focusing on advancing innovation and development of the digital economy. CPPCC National Committee Vice-Chairman Yang Zhen spoke at the meeting. 

Wang Song, deputy head of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), gave a briefing on related work. He noted that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, China's digital economy has experienced rapid growth and achieved remarkable results, ranking second in the world. The digital economy has played a prominent role in driving the high-quality economic and social development of the country, according to Wang. 

Looking ahead, the CAC will implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and drive the growth of China's digital economy with focus on key reforms, Wang added.

Chen Ronghui, deputy head of the National Data Administration, told the meeting that the administration has centered its efforts on the market-oriented allocation of data, advancing the building of basic data systems, and coordinating the integration, sharing and utilization of data resources, achieving positive results in the Digital China initiative and the planning and development of a digital economy and society. The administration strives to play a bigger part in accelerating high-quality development of the digital economy and fostering new quality productive forces in the future, he added. 

Attending CPPCC members exchanged views with officials from relevant departments on various related issues, including the role of the digital economy in the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the adaptability of regulatory approaches and innovation in the digital economy, the unlocking and opening-up of the value of data elements, and cybersecurity and data security in the digital economy.