Nathaniel Rushforth Shares Insights on Cross-Border Data Rules at the Hybrid Event Hosted by EUSME Centre and European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

On Thursday, May 16, Nathaniel Rushforth, Senior Data Security & Compliance Consultant at Dezan Shira & Associates, served as a speaker at the hybrid seminar titled “Navigating Cross-Border Data Rules: A Practical Guide for European SMEs”, jointly hosted by the EUSME Centre and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The event was a resounding success, drawing a substantial number of attendees both online and in person. During the panel discussion and Q&A session, participants posed many insightful questions.

China has significantly updated its data handling approach, covering a wide range from sensitive industrial information to basic personal data. Starting with the Cybersecurity Law in 2017 and followed by the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law in 2021, these foundational laws are complemented by additional rules and guidelines. In 2023 and 2024, the introduction of new regulations, including the Regulations on Cross-Border Data Flows, was welcomed by companies operating in China. These regulations eased many restrictions on transferring specific types of data abroad. However, despite these positive developments, the complex and ever-evolving legislative landscape often leaves companies uncertain about their “China data compliance journey.”

During the workshop, Barbara Li, Partner at Reed Smith LLP’s Beijing Office, provided an overview of the key provisions of the new regulations. Nathaniel Rushforth explained the current obligations and requirements for SMEs and highlighted the changes introduced by the new regulations. Tom Nunlist, Associate Director at Trivium China, provided the big picture on cross-border data regulation. Liam Jia, Team Leader at the EUSME Centre, moderated the panel discussion featured perspectives from European companies on the new data flow rules.

The workshop effectively explained the changes brought by the new regulations and showcased Dezan Shira & Associates’ commitment to assisting businesses with cross-border data transfer compliance assessments, planning, and implementation of necessary measures.

Looking for More Insights?

For a more in-depth exploration of cross-border data transfer (CBDT) frameworks in China, we invite you to explore our Doing Business in China Online Portal and China Briefing, where you can find valuable information on various aspects related to CBDT, such as:

• [Guide] PIPL 2024: Cross-Border Data Transfer in China Handbook
• [Article] Cross-Border Data Transfer – New Measures Clarify Security Review Requirements
• [Article] China Releases Technical Standards Guiding the Classification of “Important” Data
• [Article] China’s Standard Contract Measures for Personal Information Export – Additional Guidelines Released
• [Article] Shanghai’s Lingang New Area Launches First Cross-Border Data Service Center to Facilitate Data Export
• [Article] Tianjin Free Trade Zone Releases China’s First Negative List for Cross-Border Data Transfer