Introduction: Token Export as Lingang's Strategic Move
On July 15, 2026, Chen Jinshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Committee and Party Secretary of the Lingang New Area Party Working Committee, led a research team to inspect the full-chain construction of token export. The visit covered the National (Shanghai) New-Type Internet Exchange Center, China Unicom's international submarine cable landing station, and SenseTime, followed by a symposium. This signals Lingang's determination to leverage token export as a core driver for seizing AI opportunities, building a complete ecosystem spanning network, computing, and model services.
Network and Computing: The Infrastructure Backbone
The first stop was the National (Shanghai) New-Type Internet Exchange Center, whose international data exchange and access acceleration functions are critical for token export. The center is also involved in an "AI + Education" overseas use case, demonstrating practical data flow. At China Unicom's landing station, the team reviewed international cable and domestic computing construction, highlighting the importance of network and computing synergy. SenseTime's intelligent computing center and computing-electricity collaboration reflect the infrastructure support for token export. Together, these form a complete chain—network, computing, application—laying the foundation for ecosystem building.
Full-Chain Services: From Pilot Dividends to Industrial Ecosystem
At the symposium, Chen emphasized building a full-chain service system based on network interconnection, computing resources, and model services. This requires deep integration of institutions and industry. Lingang's pilot benefits, such as the international data processing hub, provide institutional safeguards for data security and mutual trust—an advantage hard to replicate elsewhere. The presence of Shanghai Normal University's Vice President suggests vertical scenarios like "AI + Education" will be early adoption targets. As applications expand into government, education, and finance, token export will generate demand for compliance consulting, data services, and security assessments, creating new markets for professional service firms.
Opportunities for Private Enterprises: Finding Your Niche
For private companies with global ambitions, token export offers clear pathways: leverage the international data exchange center for cross-border data services or acceleration tools; utilize domestic computing resources for model fine-tuning and scenario adaptation; or focus on vertical industries, following the "AI + Education" model to create export benchmarks. Lingang's pilot policies, like the data processing hub, also provide a testing ground for participating in global data governance. The key is to proactively align with the government's ecosystem-building pace and embed your capabilities into a specific link of the chain, rather than going it alone.
Conclusion: Implications and Actions
Lingang's token export initiative is not just a technical project but a comprehensive endeavor combining institutional innovation and ecosystem development. For private enterprises, this is both a challenge and a rare window of opportunity. Companies should closely monitor Lingang's international data cooperation rules, actively participate in pilot projects, and build partnerships with network operators and computing service providers. In the evolving landscape of global data flow, early movers will gain a competitive edge. Each step Lingang takes opens new horizons for the private economy.
Source: Lingang New Area Management Committee Official Website (lingang.gov.cn)