World Data Organization established in Beijing

The World Data Organization (WDO) held its first general meeting in Beijing on Monday, marking its official establishment.

During the meeting, members reviewed and adopted the WDO's charter, and elected its first council members and board of supervisors.

The newly elected council held its inaugural meeting, electing the organization's leadership and approving key systems and regulations.

As the world's first professional international organization dedicated to promoting data development and governance practices and a non-governmental, non-profit data cooperation platform, the WDO aims to bridge the data divide, unlock data value, and make the digital economy prosper.

"Currently, global economic recovery remains sluggish, and growth momentum is insufficient. Relying on traditional trade and investment to drive economic growth is showing diminishing marginal returns. Conversely, the digital economy is rising - flourishing, even. As everyone knows, this wave of AI fever is extremely intense, and the most important characteristic of this AI development boom is data-driven. How to fully unleash the potential of data to drive faster development of the digital economy - I believe this is a common challenge facing all humanity, and it requires a globally recognized platform to promote solutions to these issues," said WDO President Tan Tieniu.

One important function of the WDO is "breaking barriers": addressing the challenge of inconsistent data policies across countries, promoting the formation of industry consensus and reduce data compliance costs for multinational enterprises.

Additionally, the organization emphasizes "building ecosystems": applying data to practical scenarios such as healthcare, education, and energy to promote project implementation and industrial innovation; strengthening talent development, particularly helping Global South and developing countries enhance their data capabilities.

"Enable dialog on rules, enable connection of technologies, enable alignment of views, allow projects to land, let capabilities to be enhanced, and ultimately allowing the dividends of data to be shared by all," Tan said of the organization's goals.

World Data Organization established in Beijing

The Honghe butterfly valley in southwest China's Yunnan Province is expected to see a 10-year high butterfly boom this year.

As one of the world's richest regions for butterfly species, the butterfly valley in Jinping County sees a massive butterfly emergence every year in late spring and early summer.

From May to June, billions of butterflies emerge and fill the skies above the valley.

Experts estimate this year's butterfly number could be the highest in nearly a decade.

Scientists say such a spectacle is only possible in a healthy ecosystem.

For nearly three decades, local resident Yang Zhenwen has devoted himself to monitoring and protecting the butterflies.

Every day during the emergence season, he serves a special meal to help the tiny creatures replenish their energy: a nutrient solution he developed together with researchers.

"The solution is made mainly from local ingredients, including pineapples, fermented glutinous rice juice and brown sugar. After being boiled together, a small amount of salt is added," said Yang.

Yang regularly patrols the mountains, monitors butterfly habitats, records species data and tracks the growth of host plants.

Recently, over 40 content creators were invited to the county to promote biodiversity conservation through artistic installations and online campaigns. With support from the local government, conservation is also driving rural development.

"We have invited some social organizations. They bring some artists to come here to help our people design butterfly craft products, and also, some professional guides to train our people to become a good tourist guide. I would like to say it's a vivid proof of how human beings and nature can live in harmony," said Liu Xuan, deputy head of Jinping County.

The butterfly valley is drawing in a growing number of tourists.

Butterfly boom forecast to hit 10-year high at butterfly valley in Yunnan