The Data Security Risks and Responses in China-ASEAN Digital Cooperation

Abstract

As China-ASEAN digital cooperation deepens, both parties face multidimensional data security risks in digital infrastructure connectivity, trade rule reconstruction, collaborative technological research, and industry ecosystem building. This study systematically analyzes the complex security challenges and their causes in China-ASEAN digital cooperation from a South-South cooperation perspective, and proposes targeted response strategies. The study finds that data security risks manifest across physical, informational, and sovereignty layers: geopolitical competition in technological standards, conflicts between data sovereignty and cross-border flow regulations, and intervention by major power rules collectively form the deep-rooted contradictions in regional digital cooperation. Specifically, digital infrastructure is hindered by technical compatibility and cybersecurity disputes, digital trade rules are trapped in “institutional competition and cooperation” due to fragmented regulation, core technology supply chains are impacted by geopolitical tensions, and digital industry collaboration faces dual challenges of cultural identity and regulatory misalignment.
The study further reveals that the root causes of these risks lie in the delayed regional risk awareness, imbalanced governance resources within ASEAN, and the geopolitical rule competition by major powers. To address this, the paper proposes four cooperative pathways: first, building a tiered governance mechanism under the RCEP framework to balance sovereignty and circulation through data categorization, classification, and mutual recognition; second, deepening strategic collaboration by establishing a cross-border data flow joint regulatory committee and a joint cybersecurity defense and control system; third, accelerating the construction of the “Digital Silk Road” by using quantum communication and edge computing to bridge the digital divide; and fourth, strengthening legal mutual recognition, resisting external rule fragmentation, and maintaining regional governance autonomy. These pathways provide a new paradigm of “co-building rules, co-researching technology, and sharing risks” for digital security governance in developing countries.
The study also highlights current limitations, such as the uneven data openness among ASEAN member states and insufficient empirical data in sensitive areas. Future research may focus on the compliance risks and financial stability impacts of the cross-border application of digital RMB, as well as technological and institutional innovations to bridge the digital divide. By deepening differentiated analysis and practical validation, future studies can offer more actionable theoretical support for the high-quality development of China-ASEAN digital cooperation.