The deal on cross-border data flows should drive business and may help shape global rules for data, the European Commission said.

Beijing has relaxed its requirements for businesses sending data outside mainland China in finalised rules, but Hong Kong’s role in the new regime remains limited, according to legal experts.

Prime Minister Abe launches the “Osaka Track” framework to promote the drafting of international rules to enable the free movement of data across borders, but not everyone signs on.