On August 28, 2024, the "International Data Space Exchange Event" of the 2024 China International Big Data Industry Expo (Big Data Expo) was successfully held in Guiyang, Guizhou. Liu Dong, the director of the International Center for Next Generation Internet, delivered a keynote speech titled "Building an Open Data Space Network" at the event, first introducing the technical concept of the open data space network and the architecture of the data infrastructure system. He also introduced two pilot practices: the cross-border data space for scientific research and innovation, and the China-EU carbon emission data space. Additionally, he presided over a roundtable forum themed "Discussing Future Trends."

Figure: Director Liu Dong delivering a keynote speech at the International Data Space Exchange Event

Building an Open Data Space Network to Achieve High-Level Data Circulation

In his speech, Liu Dong first introduced the technical concept of the open data space network. An open data space network is a data circulation network that enables data authorization, processing, exchange, trading, and aggregation. It includes multiple operational platforms, a vast number of distributed access points, and numerous professional data processing and application programs. It is based on a set of consensus management rules, data standards, interface protocols, and security mechanisms, ensuring data sovereignty and enabling all relevant stakeholders from upstream to downstream of the industry chain, as well as within and outside the industry, to conduct trustworthy data exchange in a flexible, secure, and efficient space. This promotes the assetization of data.

The open data space network is based on the concept of consensus, a standardized architecture, and an open-source ecosystem. It can fully leverage China's strengths in strong ICT capabilities, large amounts of data resources, rich application scenarios, and a large workforce to build a multi-layered and multi-dimensional data space with interconnectedness. Platform providers can quickly deploy and implement, while access providers can connect at a low cost and with flexibility. It also encourages wide participation from application service providers. It breaks down data silos, promotes international circulation, enhances the value of data, and constructs a high-level data circulation system.

Building Data Infrastructure Based on IPv6 and Data Space Technologies

To promote the availability, mobility, and efficient use of data, Director Liu Dong shared the system architecture for building data infrastructure based on IPv6 next-generation Internet, data space, privacy computing, blockchain, and other technologies. The architecture builds a high-speed data network with IPv6 as the foundation at the bottom layer, enhancing network flexibility and security. The core utilizes data space data circulation control, supplemented by privacy computing and data sandbox technologies to achieve trustworthy data circulation and sharing. The top layer constructs a diverse data space, with blockchain technology providing encryption, evidence storage, and traceability throughout the process. This technical architecture is easy to implement, replicable, scalable, and interconnected, generating demonstrative and scale effects.

Specifically, at the network layer, a high-speed data network based on IPv6 is constructed, providing flexible, secure, and efficient network capabilities and supporting cross-border data circulation and control. IPv6 mainly achieves several key capabilities: first, data identification through IPv6 addresses; second, flexible and secure logical data dedicated networks are built using SRv6+ network slicing, with end-to-end encryption using IPSec technology; third, IPv6 is an international consensus network infrastructure. An international logical data dedicated network built on IPv6 supports secure and efficient interconnectivity with more countries, regions, and institutions.

The core of this architecture is data sharing and circulation based on data space technology. Data space technology is a standardized data usage control solution that addresses issues of trustworthy security and data sovereignty in data sharing. In the data space, data search is more straightforward and convenient. Data always remains with the data provider and is transmitted point-to-point only during exchange. After transmission, data usage is controlled using usage control technology and smart contracts. The data space can also develop more cloud-based capabilities, providing participants with authentication services, clearing center services, specific public services, and application stores. This provides both technological and trust-based assurance for data sharing and circulation, addressing concerns of unwillingness, inability, or fear of data sharing.

In terms of management support, blockchain technology is crucial for building a secure and trustworthy data space. It supports the encryption and evidence storage of the entire data lifecycle and provides technical tools for regulatory authorities. Every digital contract, data exchange, transfer, and storage is recorded on the chain, ensuring data traceability and management audit, preventing the risk of illegal acquisition and misuse of data, and supporting the trustworthy circulation of data throughout its lifecycle.

At the top application layer, the open data space network architecture will comprehensively support data elements and help in-trading, expanding domestic and international interconnectivity.

Exploring Innovative Practices of the Open Data Space Network and Promoting Comprehensive Data Circulation and Sharing

In recent years, the exploration of data space has yielded fruitful results in various fields and has been highly recognized by the industry. Director Liu Dong shared the pilot practices and actual progress conducted by the International Center for Next Generation Internet.

In the field of scientific research and innovation, the center initiated the construction of the Beijing-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Scientific Research and Innovation Data Space. Based on IPv6 and data space, this practice has explored a convenient data circulation model embedded with rules + management system + certification mechanism. It includes an IPv6-based data infrastructure network and a complete, standardized, efficient, reliable, open, and expandable data space solution, as well as a blockchain-based data circulation audit solution. It has become an important cornerstone for the safe sharing, orderly circulation, and innovative application of academic research data. As a typical application demonstration centered on data infrastructure + cross-border data rules + data management capability system, this practice has taken the lead in trying out more industry applications.

The China-EU Carbon Emission Data Space is another pilot project being advanced by the center in collaboration with the International Data Space Association (IDSA) and other partners. The "carbon tax" mechanism established by the European Union has already been implemented in industries such as steel, and China has also elevated the dual carbon goals to the national level, successively issuing relevant policies. These mechanisms require enterprises to clearly calculate carbon emission data from upstream to downstream and for themselves and to fulfill reporting obligations, which directly affects the international competitiveness and market access of enterprises. In reality, there are two major obstacles in this process. The first is the lack of a unified international standard for carbon emission data statistics and calculation, resulting in non-recognition of results; the second is the involvement of cross-border data flow in this process. It is unclear how to define and handle carbon emission data, which may involve more sensitive data types. Against this background, the center has collaborated with the European International Data Space Association to build a rule and technology system for the entire process of carbon emission data collection, sharing, and reporting in the steel industry, based on the technical architecture of data space. In this way, not only is the quality and traceability of shared data improved, but the standardization of data collection and reporting is also resolved.

In addition to the keynote speech, Director Liu Dong was also invited to serve as the moderator of the roundtable forum at this event. He had in-depth discussions and exchanges with experts and industry leaders from different fields about the achievements and changes brought about by the data space, as well as suggestions and prospects for its development.

At the end of the meeting, Director Liu Dong said that the exploration and practice of the data space will not stop. He looks forward to the emergence and vigorous development of more enterprise data spaces, industry data spaces, regional data spaces, national data spaces, and even personal data spaces in the near future. This will comprehensively accelerate data sharing and circulation and contribute greater strength to the prosperity of the global digital economy and social progress.

This International Data Space Exchange Event, themed "Data Without Borders: Creating an Open Data Space," was hosted by the Executive Committee of the China International Big Data Industry Expo. It was co-organized by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, the International Center for Next Generation Internet, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Cloud Guizhou Big Data (Group) Co., Ltd., and the Guizhou Provincial Information Center. The event gathered organizational leaders, industry experts, and professionals from the global data space field, focusing on innovative practices of data space, forming a consensus on development, and effectively promoting international cooperation and application development of the data space.