Lingang reveals global digital harbor plan

The Lingang area of the Shanghai free trade zone has revealed a plan for a global digital harbor.

The harbor on the East China Sea will cover 100 hectares, according to a blueprint unveiled on Monday.

Neighboring a scientific community in the east, and connected to the S2 expressway and Donghai Bridge in the west, Hangzhou Bay in the south and Chenghe Harbor in the north, the future global digital harbor looks like flying fish from the perspective of a bird's-eye view.

The “flying fish” will house a cross-border data gateway test station, according to Wu Xiaohua, a deputy director of the Lingang Special Area Administrative Committee.

It will be the first step in turning Lingang into a global data harbor and a special area of digital economy amid the accelerated construction of next-generation information infrastructure.

Also on Monday, the Shanghai Lingang Special Area Cross-Border Data Technology Co was officially established.

The company will build a data and exchange service platform for the future global data harbor. Under the overall planning of the government, the company will support leading data firms to launch their businesses in the harbor and make breakthroughs in innovation and development.

Monday’s event attracted more than 100 companies and institutions in industry to form an information industry alliance in the special area. Members of the alliance signed a memorandum of cooperation.

The alliance will invite well-known institutions and prestigious organizations in the field of information technology globally to promote the development of an open and integrated information industry and related professional services, accelerate the expansion of industrial agglomeration, and form a high-quality and efficient information industry ecosystem.

At the same time, the alliance will help Lingang match international rules, explore the way to build a safe and efficient cross-border data flow system, create an open and cooperative link for software and information service industries, build an international “Digital Silk Road” hub and deeply integrate Lingang into the governance in the global digital economy.