Tianjin (TDI): The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum opened on Friday in Tianjin, northern China, marking a significant step forward in regional efforts to strengthen cooperation in digital infrastructure, technology, and innovation among SCO member states.
Themed “New Bonds in the Digital Economy, New Horizons for Cooperation,” the high-profile event was jointly organized by China’s National Data Administration (NDA) and the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government. The forum brought together over 1,500 participants from across the SCO region, including senior government officials, state-owned enterprise (SOE) representatives, corporate executives, university scholars, and think tank experts.
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony. In his remarks, Ding called for deeper collaboration among SCO countries to accelerate the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and to translate high-level consensus into practical outcomes.
“Efforts should be made to promote digital economy cooperation, strengthen policy alignment, and build a high-quality Digital Silk Road,” Ding stated, adding that a shared commitment to building robust digital governance and infrastructure could inject fresh momentum into regional development.
The forum featured a main forum, four sub-forums, and a range of interactive sessions, focusing on strategic areas such as cross-border data flows, smart cities, artificial intelligence, digital education, and industrial digital transformation.
On the sidelines of the main event, the Digital Economy Project Signing Ceremony and Data Industry Promotion saw the signing of 21 agreements between leading Chinese enterprises and participating entities, with a combined investment value exceeding 1.35 billion yuan (approximately $186 million). The projects cover cutting-edge sectors such as computing power infrastructure, low-altitude economy technologies, intelligent healthcare systems, and digital energy solutions.
In another key side event, a promotional showcase highlighted the achievements of Tianjin’s SOEs in deploying AI, big data, IoT, and smart manufacturing technologies. This platform served not only as a networking opportunity but also enabled project matchmaking and discussions on collaborative innovation under the broader SCO framework.
Liu Liehong, Director of the National Data Administration, underlined the SCO’s increasing role in shaping the regional digital economy. “Our countries are actively cooperating in areas such as digital infrastructure construction and the digital transformation of traditional industries. These joint efforts are fostering new drivers of economic growth and innovation,” Liu said.
Notably, the Republic of Belarus—an active observer in the SCO—also sent a high-level delegation led by Natalya Tarasyuk, Deputy Chairwoman of the Belarusian National Statistics Committee (Belstat). The Belarusian delegation contributed to discussions on national approaches to data management and digital economy indicators. Belarus also presented its statistical framework for tracking digital transformation, including 35 national indicators focused on ICT development and business digitization.
Speaking at a thematic seminar, Tarasyuk emphasized the importance of using innovative data collection tools such as big data and artificial intelligence to monitor digital trends. She called for the development of harmonized international standards to ensure cross-country comparability in digital economy statistics.
Participants reached consensus on the importance of collaborative frameworks to govern data responsibly, build resilient digital infrastructure, and cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving the next phase of economic modernization in the region.
Tianjin’s selection as host city reflects its growing importance as a digital innovation hub. According to official data, the city’s core digital economy sectors recorded a 12.2 percent year-on-year revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025. These sectors now contribute nearly 9.4 percent of Tianjin’s GDP, positioning the municipality as a frontrunner in implementing China’s national digital economy strategy.
The successful convening of the SCO Digital Economy Forum underscores China’s continued efforts to facilitate multilateral digital cooperation across Eurasia. It also highlights the role of the SCO as a platform for transnational dialogue and practical collaboration in emerging economic frontiers.
The forum concluded with the release of a set of model cases showcasing successful China-SCO digital economy collaborations and reaffirmed member states’ intent to deepen cooperation in areas such as data governance, digital innovation, and regional connectivity.
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