China has officially kicked off its data property rights registration system, with the National Data Administration announcing the launch on September 11, 2026. The initiative is designed to provide data with a legal “identity certificate,” clarifying ownership structures that include the right to hold, use, and operate data.
Under the new framework, registration follows a “register once, valid nationwide” principle. Multiple data exchanges have been designated to serve as registration bodies, and a national data property rights registration service system has already entered trial operation. The registration process consists of seven steps, beginning with application and proceeding through acceptance and review, among others. Authorities will focus on verifying data security compliance and the authenticity of ownership claims. Each registration certificate remains valid for a period of five years.
So far, 56 registration certificates have completed the public disclosure process. These cover a range of sectors, including information technology, transportation, and healthcare, signaling an important step forward in China’s efforts to build a structured and legally grounded framework for data governance.
