China: Cyberspace Administration published Initiative on Deepening China-ASEAN Cooperation on Digital Governance including commitments regarding cross-border data flows

On 4 December 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China published the Initiative on Deepening China-ASEAN Cooperation on Digital Governance, including commitments regarding cross-border data flows. The initiative aims to enhance the transparency, predictability, and non-discriminatory nature of measures governing cross-border data flows. The initiative further involves actively promoting the formulation of a Comparative Joint Guide on "ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses for Cross-border Data Flows" and "China Standard Contract for Cross-border Transfer of Personal Information." The initiative seeks to improve mutual understanding of respective regulatory frameworks and to explore and enhance the compatibility and interoperability of policy frameworks, while respecting regulatory differences. Based on the Global Cross-border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative and the Global Initiative on Data Security, China aims to establish special institutional arrangements for cross-border data flow cooperation with ASEAN countries.