On October 30, 2024, at the GDTC Global Data Technology Conference Conference-Privacy Technology and Data Cross-border Circulation Forum, Zhang Hanzhuo, Deputy Director of China Future Internet Engineering Center (CFIEC), delivered a keynote speech on “Constructing IPv6 Cross-border Dataspace Network”, and shared the “IPv6 High-speed Data Network as the Cornerstone, Dataspace (IDS) as the Core “The data cross-border infrastructure architecture, which builds cross-border data transmission network and provides global interconnection and interoperability of fine-grained data management and control capabilities through new technologies such as IPv6 and data space, provides new ideas for the efficient utilization of current data elements and injects new vitality into the construction of the global data infrastructure.

Figure: Zhang Hanxin, Deputy Director of CFIEC, delivering a speech

IPv6 Enables High - level Cross - border Data Flows Data technology has become a powerful force in accelerating digital transformation and promoting high - quality economic growth. Zhang Hanxin analyzed the crucial role of IPv6 in cross - border data flows. He pointed out that IPv6 offers stronger data identification and management capabilities. Additionally, with the help of the Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) technology, traffic forwarding paths can be specified, thus ensuring the security and efficiency of different types of sensitive data. These technologies not only enhance the management of cross - border data flows but also significantly strengthen the traceability and security of data.

Building Cross-border Data Infrastructure Based on Data Space Technology In terms of the technical architecture for cross-border data flows, Zhang shared a basic architecture of "using the IPv6 high-speed data network as the foundation and data space (IDS) as the core." As the core of data management and exchange, data space can provide participants with an environment of data sovereignty and trustworthy governance, ensuring high security when cross-border data is shared and used. Zhang noted that the interoperability of data space ensures the use of unified technical protocols and operational norms, enabling efficient data flows among participants on the premises of security and compliance. This data management model is implementable, replicable, promotable, and interconnected, capable of producing demonstration and scale effects. It can bring more flexible data control models for enterprises and provide a solid guarantee for global data trust and cross-border cooperation.

Mr. Zhang Hanzhuo further introduced the practical application cases of IPv6 cross-border data space network. According to the introduction, Macao University of Science and Technology and China Future Internet Engineering Center (CFIEC) jointly constructed a cross-border network based on IPv6, and realized the cross-border compliance and safe circulation of scientific research data of multi-campuses in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao within the Greater Bay Area through the integrated mode of cross-border data circulation of “rules+management+technology” and the data circulation auditing scheme based on blockchain. The project has passed the CCRC technical validation. The project passed the technical verification and on-site assessment by CCRC, obtained the first “Personal Information Protection Certification” certificate in China, and was approved by the Privacy Office of Macao for cross-border licensing of data circulation to the Mainland, which has become a typical example of compliance of cross-border circulation of two-way data. At the same time, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Digital Collaboration and Innovation Platform, which relies on IPv6 cross-border networks and is based on the International Data Space (IDS) standard, is also being implemented.

Zhang Hanzhuo pointed out that the relevant practice not only provides an important reference for data cross-border flow compliance, but also accumulates valuable experience for exploring data sharing on a global scale. The next step will also be to explore the practice of application in the field of healthcare data, promote the implementation of cross-border flow of healthcare data between Guangdong and Macao, deepen the close cooperation between Guangdong and Macao in the field of healthcare, and provide residents of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with a more convenient and efficient healthcare service experience to ensure an overall improvement in the quality of healthcare services.