嚯! Just noticed that Shenzhen Economic Zone Data Regs (draft) says: "public data is a state-owned asset, and its data rights belong to the state." As @triviumchina has been covering, looks like some data types in China may be designated as gov property. https://www.163.com/dy/article/FSPKBG1S0518KCLG.html

It is unclear to me what "public data" means as a category - this may be data collected by the government in the course of its operations. Could also be a category under which Ant's consumer credit data, or carbon emissions data, could be filed.

They interesting thing here is that "public data" is established as a category. Once a category for "public data" with state ownership legally exists, then the state has recourse to decide what goes in that category.

Went back for a re-read: "Public data" basically defined as data collected by city government agencies, or companies and institutions that serve public functions. Here's a draft for anyone who wants a read: http://sf.sz.gov.cn/gkmlpt/content/7/7892/post_7892072.html#2725

Enterprises / institutions serving public functions "can include but are not limited to education, health, water supply, power supply, gas supply, heating, finance, telecommunications, and public services that are closely related to the interests of the people."