By Lilian Liu
On March 14th, Quality Brands Protection Committee of China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (QBPC) Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee (GAPPC) held an online exchange meeting between QBPC and Beijing Normal University on Research of Practical Issues of Transferring Data across Border (Digital Evidence). Prof. Dr. Wu Shenkuo, Assistant Dean of Internet Institute, Beijing Normal University, Head of Research Centre of Internet Society of China, was invited to explain in details the topic, scope and approach of the research project and listened to feedback of the QBPC members. GAPPC Chair Tao Yang and Vice Chair Joann Chan moderated the meeting with nearly 30 QBPC members in attendance.
Prof. Wu firstly introduced the background and purpose of the project in details, and illustrated through case study that the issue of cross-border application of digital data was receiving more and more attention from home and abroad. He expected that the project could outline a relatively clear solution in rule setting. Then, he introduced and explained the implications of the 39 survey questions one by one. Through preliminary research, he intended to understand the reality, scenarios, needs, the existing system, rules and obstacles in practice encountered by QBPC member companies in the process of cross-border application of data. In addition, based on the existing rules, a relatively feasible and reasonable rule system for cross-border application of data as well as the compliance system of the enterprise could be designed.
In addition, Yang Tao explained the follow-up plan of the research project. He hoped that, through the workshops, QBPC members would have the opportunity to further participate in the interaction and exchange with experts and scholars in the corresponding fields. He encouraged the attendees to speak up actively and put forward opinions and suggestions so that the direction and results of this research could address the real concerns of the members.
During the Q&A session, in response to the question from QBPC members on whether the results of the survey can be shared from different industry perspectives, Prof. Dr. Wu Shenkuo said that this survey would have practical significance in improving the rules for cross-border application of digital data. QBPC members were welcomed to exchange ideas on this topic after the meeting by filling out the questionnaire or in the WeChat group. Finally, Joann Chan expected that the research would contribute to and help the work of the IP protection teams of QBPC member companies.