China emerges as a World Data Superpower

 

There was a time when people considered oil as a major power of the world, and who has oil ruled the world in terms of politics and economy. But now the world changes because of globalization and DATA has become a new oil for the world, which means who holds more data ruled the world as a superpower. In this globalized world, China emerges as a World Data Superpower.

DATA FLOW:

The data which is generated by one country but shown in another country called the data flow. Like if the data produced by India but shown in Pakistan means the data source came to India. The best example is TikTok nows days, the app created by the Chinese tech companies but it is used in many other countries that’s mean the CHINESE produced data or technology used in other countries and it provides benefits to Chinese tech in terms of Data Flow.

SURVEY:

According to the Nikkei Asian survey of information on cross-border from, the International Telecommunication Union and U.S research firm Tele Geography, China now accounts for 23% of cross-border data flow, nearly twice the share of the US which ranks a distant second with 12%. The survey analyzed the quantity of cross-border data flows in major countries and regions to determine who has most of the world data.

Back in 2001, the USA was the dominant country when it came to cross border data flows. It was the early days of the internet boom, and America was where tech companies and tech-savvy consumers were. But the global data order is changing rapidly.

Currently, China is holding 111 million Mbps while the USA holding 60 million Mbps.

Countries with the most cross border data

2001	2019
USA	CHINA
UK	USA
GERMANY	UK
FRANCE	INDIA
JAPAN	SINGAPORE
CHINA	BRAZIL
BRAZIL	VIETNAM
RUSSIA	RUSSIA
SINGAPORE	GERMANY
INDIA	FRANCE
VIETNAM	JAPAN

 

REASONS FOR CHINA RISE

The source of Beijing’s power lies in its connections with the rest of Asia. While the USA accounted for 45 % of data flows in and out of China in 2001, that figure dropped to just 25% last year. The main reasons are: 

1.   1.   China spreading data in Asia:

China, the new data champion, has expanded its information sphere in Southeast Asia. This is a total change from 2001 when most of its cross border data were shared with the USA and Japan. With more Chinese companies moving into the region.

2.    2.   Belt and road infrastructure:

Beijing has used its Belt and Road infrastructure initiative to encourage private-sector tech companies like Alibaba group holding and Tencent holdings to expand abroad. Alibaba spinoff Ant Groups Alipay mobile payment platform is available in more than 55 countries and used by 1.3 billion people.

GLOBAL DATA SUPER POWER:

As China becomes a global data superpower. It will control huge quantities of a resource that will be invaluable to its future economic competitiveness. Data from foreign sources can provide an edge in developing artificial intelligence and information technologies.

     FRACTURED INTERNET:

China could be the biggest beneficiary of the fractured internet. Fractured internet means countries that can collect large amounts of data within their borders will have an advantage in developing artificial intelligence and other technologies. Nowhere more so than China, with 900 million people on the internet.

They are already signs that the population is becoming a key driver in innovation and economic growth. China shares in the top 10% of the most cited papers on Al came to 26.5% in 2018. Fast approaching the American share of 29%.

To control the Chinese power over data flow states taking different steps like many countries banned TikTok, India banned 43 Chinese apps other countries banned Alibaba or Alipayment service. On the other hand, to become stronger China include technological expansion in their 15-year plan by 2035.