The International Monetary Fund and China’s National Bureau of Statistics signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, committing to jointly improve how China’s digital economy is measured, at a time when trade tensions with the United States and the European Union are putting Beijing’s economic data under intense international scrutiny.
The deal targets one of the murkiest corners of modern economic accounting: how to properly value intangible assets like cloud computing, big data platforms, and AI-driven services, sectors where China has become a genuine global force.
As part of the agreement, China will align its national accounting system with the United Nations System of National Accounts 2025, a global statistical standard updated for the first time in 17 years. The IMF said cooperation will cover digital intermediation platforms, data as an asset, and AI, and will take place through expert consultations, technical workshops, and joint analytical work.
The push for greater transparency is not happening in a vacuum. With trade imbalances fuelling friction between Beijing, Washington, and Brussels, rival powers have a growing interest in getting an accurate picture of just how large and fast-moving China’s economy really is.
