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A Comparative Analysis of Digital Economy Policies in China and the European Union: Navigating Convergences and Regulatory Divergences



Author(s)

XU Xinyi, CAO Yun

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DOI:10.17265/1539-8080/2026.03.004

University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the digital economy policies in China and the European Union (EU). While both global actors strategically converge on prioritizing robust digital infrastructure, accelerating the twin (green and digital) transition, and legally recognizing data as a core macroeconomic asset, their underlying regulatory philosophies diverge fundamentally. China employs a state-led, sovereign-centric approach that harnesses its vast market scale to achieve technological self-reliance and maximize data utility for national security. Conversely, the EU champions a human-centric, rights-based paradigm, actively establishing preemptive global standards for data privacy, platform accountability, and artificial intelligence (AI) governance to protect democratic values. Understanding these divergent trajectories is increasingly crucial for navigating the fragmented landscape of global digital governance, mitigating cross-border data frictions, and anticipating the broader geopolitical dynamics of Sino-EU relations.

digital economy, digital governance, comparative policy analysis, European Union, China

XU Xinyi & CAO Yun. A Comparative Analysis of Digital Economy Policies in China and the European Union: Navigating Convergences and Regulatory Divergences. US-China Foreign Language, March 2026, Vol. 24, No. 3, 112-117 doi:10.17265/1539-8080/2026.03.004