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Challenges in governing global digital trade barriers and China’s position

  • Yuanhong Shi

    Yuanhong Shi is a postdoctoral researcher at International Law School, China University of Political Science and Law, a visiting scholar at Law School, Tulane University. Her research interests and publications include international economic law, maritime law, cross-border data flow.

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Published/Copyright: October 20, 2025
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Abstract

Digital trade has emerged as a new driver of global economic growth. However, divergent concerns over digital security and trade development have led countries and regions to adopt various restrictive measures, giving rise to distinct types of digital trade barriers involving the enabling environment for digital trade, technical restrictions, data localization requirements, and intellectual property-related measures. These barriers exert notable influence on China’s digital trade 202 development. Facing the complex challenges of global digital trade governance, China should advance a position that balances security with development and is rooted in domestic practice. Key strategies include fostering a multilateral framework for data governance, strengthening privacy protection and localization mechanisms, promoting fair and equitable digital taxation rules, and enhancing the national data governance system through a multi-level strategic approach.


Corresponding author: Yuanhong Shi, International Law School, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China, E-mail:

About the author

Yuanhong Shi

Yuanhong Shi is a postdoctoral researcher at International Law School, China University of Political Science and Law, a visiting scholar at Law School, Tulane University. Her research interests and publications include international economic law, maritime law, cross-border data flow.

Acknowledgments

I acknowledge the support of International Law School of China University of Political Science and Law.

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Received: 2025-03-15
Accepted: 2025-09-10
Published Online: 2025-10-20

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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