EU and China launch cross-border data flows communication mechanism
Yesterday (27 August) the EU and China launched the first discussions under the new Cross-Border Data Flow Communication Mechanism.
The mechanism is a deliverable of the political agreement reached in 2023 between Vice-President Jourová and Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing at the EU-China High-Level Digital Dialogue, as well as at the EU-China High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue between Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Vice-Premier He Lifeng. It aims at finding ways to facilitate cross-border transfers of non-personal data for European businesses, as well as their compliance with Chinese data laws. This issue was also raised by President von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in their December 2023 meeting with China’s President, Xi Jinping, followed by an exchange with China’s Premier, Li Qiang, in the context of the last EU-China Summit.
At the inaugural formal meeting of the new Mechanism – the first
cooperation structure of its kind between the two sides – the EU expressed its objective of addressing concrete concerns raised by EU businesses in China regarding cross-border flows of non-personal data.
Data flows are essential to trade. A significant part of the EU-China foreign direct investment stock depends on companies’ ability to manage their data across borders. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as finance and insurance, pharma, automotive and information and communication technology (ICT). Cross-border data flows are key for research and development activities, and essential for business to thrive.
In recent years, European businesses in China have faced increasing uncertainty and difficulties to export data from China. They have been specifically concerned about the systematic application of security approvals to exports of all ‘important data’, following the 2022 adoption of the law on Measures for Data Export Security Assessment. This concern has been further exacerbated by uncer
tainty as to what constitutes ‘important data’ as the concept has so far been only vaguely defined and applied in a far-reaching manner. Cross-border data transfer restrictions are also a major contributing factor to a declining confidence of European investors in China.
Further engagement is foreseen at expert and technical levels with a view to review progress at the political level at the next appropriate occasion.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
Ten EU-funded works nominated at Venice Film Festival
Ten EU-funded films and projects have been selected to participate in the 81st edition of the Venice International Film Festival, which starts today.
Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Harvest is up for the prestigious Golden Lion award, while the Orizzonti category includes four EU-backed titles: La vie calme (Apathy) by Alexandros Avranas; Wishing on a star by Péter Kerekes; Anul nou care n-a fost (The New Year That Never Came) by Bogdan Muresanu; a
nd Pooja, Sir by Deepak Rauniyar.
Five other works that received EU funding have been nominated in this year’s competition, including in the Venice Immersive category, as well as in the Giornate degli autori section. In addition, three additional titles are nominated in the ‘hors concours’ categories.
These works have received EU support of over pound 1.7 million under the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme and have been co-produced by international teams from several EU countries.
Vera Jourová, Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, will be present at this edition of the festival. She will meet the Artistic Director of the Venice Biennale Film Department and take part in a panel discussion on the social impact of documentaries entitled ‘Unseen Leaders’, organised by Think-Film and Impact Europe. She will also deliver the opening address at the Ukrainian Day, organised by Venice Production Bridge, and attend the premiere of Olha Zhurba’s film PISNI zemli, shcho povilno horyt (Son
gs of the Slowly Burning Earth), supported by MEDIA.
The winners of this edition will be announced on 7 September at the awards ceremony.
The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. All personal information processed by the Directorate-General for Communication / European Commission Representations is treated accordingly. If you do not work for a media organisation, you are welcome to contact the EU through Europe Direct in writing or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.
Source: Cyprus News Agency