China, Kazakhstan Launch Joint Data Economy Initiative
Astana and Shanghai data exchanges are beginning work on their first joint listing of data products.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Economic Indicators
China and Kazakhstan launched a joint data economy initiative at the Global Data Ecosystem Conference 2026, held October 30 to 31 in Shanghai. Astana Data Exchange and Shanghai Data Exchange began work on their first joint listing of data products, building on a 2025 strategic cooperation agreement.
Why it matters
The partnership is designed to let data providers list products on both platforms and support trade between the two countries, which reached $48.7 billion in 2025. It reflects a broader push to treat data as a tradable economic asset under national registration systems.
Bilateral trade between China and Kazakhstan reached $48.7 billion in 2025, against a stated target of $100 billion. Kazakhstan reports over 90 percent of public services online and 98.3 percent of personal payments cashless in 2025, but the timeline for the joint data listings and their volume remain unannounced.
The players
Astana Data Exchange
Astana Data Exchange is one of the platforms on Kazakhstan's national register under the Digital Code and is a central party to the joint listing.
Shanghai Data Exchange
Shanghai Data Exchange is one of three institutions China designated in 2026 to register data rights under its national system and is co-leading the joint listing effort.
The details
Eleven international providers, including KoDATA, are preparing to list products on Astana Data Exchange. Industry associations, state-owned enterprises, and private firms in finance and IT joined a broader initiative covering data markets, digital economy research, and smart city projects. Astana Data Exchange is one of the platforms on Kazakhstan's national register under the Digital Code, which took effect in July 2026.
Timeline
2019: China recognized data as a factor of production.
2025: The two exchanges signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
October 30 to 31, 2026: Global Data Ecosystem Conference 2026 held in Shanghai.
July 2026: Kazakhstan's Digital Code came into force.
Market Landscape
China formally recognized data as a factor of production in 2019, and the Shanghai-Astana listing extends that policy into cross-border trade. Kazakhstan's Digital Code positions its exchange to take part in the same registered-data framework.
Data providers outside China and Kazakhstan may find product listings on both exchanges, though access terms are not yet detailed. Residents using Kazakhstan's public services and digital payments already interact with the national data infrastructure that underpins the initiative.
The takeaway
Digital infrastructure is becoming a condition of cross-border trade, so tracking how registered data exchanges handle pricing and access will show whether data markets mature as planned.
Further reading
Explore more on Economic Indicators for context on how data markets are measured.
Source note: This article includes information reported by China Daily.
