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Cybersecurity Awareness Week Opens in Xuancheng: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

An official event in Anhui highlights cybersecurity priorities that affect foreign founders operating companies in China, from compliance to local partnerships.

Cybersecurity Awareness Week Kicks Off in Xuancheng

On the morning of September 14, the opening ceremony of the 2026 Anhui Provincial Cybersecurity Awareness Week was held in Xuancheng. The event was attended by He Chunkuan, Secretary of the Xuancheng Municipal Party Committee, who announced the start of the activities. Zhang Jiehua, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Provincial Cyberspace Administration, and Deng Jigan, Mayor of Xuancheng, delivered speeches. Peng Chengzhi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and distinguished chair professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, and Hu Jiawu, chief expert at the Data Space Research Institute of the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, gave keynote speeches on cybersecurity. Li Xinying, Party Secretary and General Manager of China Telecom Anhui Branch, and municipal leaders Chu Deyou and Liu Tao were also present.

For foreign founders setting up or running a company in China, this event underscores the growing emphasis on cybersecurity at both provincial and municipal levels. Understanding these priorities can help you align your business practices with local expectations and avoid potential compliance pitfalls.

Key Messages from Provincial and Municipal Leaders

In his speech, Zhang Jiehua emphasized that cybersecurity is playing an increasingly fundamental role in the province's overall high-quality development. He called for a correct understanding of cybersecurity, focusing on breakthroughs in core technologies, strengthening the local cybersecurity industry, and enhancing overall cybersecurity capabilities. He also stressed the importance of deepening cybersecurity for the people, improving risk control and defense capabilities, and cracking down on illegal online activities. Furthermore, he urged the continuation of the "six entries" campaign to raise cybersecurity awareness and build a collaborative governance framework where everyone shares responsibility and benefits.

Deng Jigan, the mayor of Xuancheng, highlighted the city's progress in cybersecurity driven by the "Digital Xuancheng" initiative. He noted that the framework for cybersecurity has been further improved, emergency response capabilities have been enhanced, and a strong joint force for shared benefits has been formed. Going forward, the city will strictly implement the cybersecurity responsibility system, strengthen publicity and comprehensive governance, balance security and digital empowerment, and strive to build a robust cybersecurity barrier and a clean online ecosystem.

These messages signal that local governments are prioritizing cybersecurity as part of their digital economy strategies. Foreign founders should take note: compliance with cybersecurity regulations and active participation in local initiatives can enhance your company's reputation and smooth operations.

New Cybersecurity Service Center Established

Before the opening ceremony, attendees visited a cybersecurity-themed exhibition. During the ceremony, a plaque unveiling took place for the Xuancheng Cybersecurity Service Center, jointly established by the Xuancheng Municipal Government and China Telecom Anhui Branch. The center aims to build a city-wide security barrier and develop a urban security operations system featuring "full-domain protection, proactive warning, and full-process escort."

For foreign founders, this indicates that local resources are being developed to support cybersecurity. Such centers may offer services or collaboration opportunities that can help foreign-invested enterprises navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape. Engaging with these local initiatives can be beneficial for compliance and risk management.

Awareness Week Activities and Theme

The 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Week runs from September 14 to 20 across the province under the theme "Cybersecurity for the People, Cybersecurity by the People – Safeguarding the Intelligent Era." During this period, themed days such as Rule of Law Day, Youth Day, and Personal Information Protection Day will be organized, along with efforts to bring cybersecurity awareness to the grassroots level, fostering a strong atmosphere of collective cybersecurity defense.

Foreign founders should be aware that such campaigns often come with increased scrutiny and emphasis on compliance. It's a good time to review your company's data protection and cybersecurity policies to ensure they align with Chinese regulations, such as the Cybersecurity Law and Personal Information Protection Law.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

By staying proactive, foreign founders can turn cybersecurity compliance into a competitive advantage and build trust with local authorities and customers.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.

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General information only, not legal or tax advice.