BEIJING, Oct. 25 -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang highlighted the role of data in empowering economic and social development when attending the inauguration of the National Data Administration in Beijing on Wednesday.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said efforts need to be made to advance the planning and construction of a digital China, digital economy and digital society.

The country should advance the construction of fundamental data-related institutions and coordinate the integration, sharing, development and utilization of data resources to empower economic and social development, Ding said.

It is necessary to balance development and security and give full play to the roles of data as a basic resource and an innovation engine, he said.

China should promote the deep integration of the digital and real economies to provide strong support for the construction of a new development paradigm, for the establishment of a modern economic system, and for forging new national competitive advantages, Ding said.