The control and standardization of data in China play a pivotal role in shaping narratives and influencing decision-making. Efforts by the CCP to regulate data access and transactions are not only aimed at enhancing usability but also at defining what data is considered valid and reliable. Through initiatives like data exchanges and legislation such as the Data Security Law, the CCP seeks to manage the flow and handling of data both within and outside China’s borders, with a clear focus on safeguarding national interests and security. Data exchanges, as envisioned by the CCP, serve as platforms for trading information under defined conditions, aligning with China’s broader strategy of controlling data circulation while promoting economic development.

One significant example of this control is the establishment of entities like the China Culture Data Exchange (CCDE), which operates as an intermediary for sharing cultural data resources. Linked to the CCP’s Propaganda Department, the CCDE serves as a mechanism to manage and share cultural data, aligning with broader objectives outlined in China’s Five-Year Plan for Cultural Development. By cataloging and transacting cultural data, including those related to CCP history and Chinese culture, the CCDE reinforces the party-state’s control over narratives and cultural identity. Moreover, the CCP’s influence extends to enterprises and projects identified as key cultural exports, with preferential treatment provided to promote their alignment with state narratives and objectives. Overall, these efforts underscore the CCP’s systematic approach to exerting control over data and narratives, reinforcing its political and cultural dominance.

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DATA

Explore the data in the interactive graph below. To know more about the entities, click on the dots to open a sidebar with additional information on their activity and relationships. Simply hovering over the dots and lines in the graph will give a glimpse of the entities’ names and the nature of the links between them.

If you are looking for a particular entity, please use the search bar at the bottom left of the graph.