In May 2026, Nanning, a city in Guangxi province, formally kicked off a pioneering international data cooperation initiative aimed at the ASEAN region, earning its place as one of the inaugural pilot cities nationwide. The National Data Administration has expressed its support for Nanning's efforts to capitalize on its strategic geographic location vis-à-vis ASEAN. This support extends to exploring avenues in data infrastructure development, fostering a cross-border service ecosystem, and nurturing scenarios for digital collaboration. The overarching goal is to create institutional breakthroughs and tangible success stories that can be replicated, thereby setting a benchmark for international data cooperation across the country. Guangxi is set to expedite the development of Nanning's international communication service hub, aiming to minimize data transmission delays to ASEAN countries. Additionally, it will work towards mutual recognition of data governance standards, establish a network for data trading services, and construct a cross-border industrial ecosystem characterized by 'research and development in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, integration in Guangxi, and application in ASEAN'.