Shanghai (ZXZC)- Elon Musk, CEO of the U.S.-based EV manufacturer Tesla, delivered an online speech on Sept. 26 at the opening of the World Internet Conference 2021, saying Tesla will continue to expand investment and R&D efforts in China.

Musk said China spends a lot of resources and efforts applying the latest digital technologies in different industries, including automobile industry, making itself a global leader in digitalization. The company hopes to contribute to building a digitalized future of shared benefits, responsibilities, and governance.

Musk thought data security is the key to the success of intelligent and connected vehicles (ICVs). It not only closely links to individual’s interests, but also matters to the whole society. Tesla is pleased to see many relevant laws and regulations that have been issued to strengthen data management.

He added Tesla has set up a data center in China to localize all data generated from businesses such as production, sales, services, and charging. Meanwhile, Musk promised that all personally identifiable information will be securely stored in China, without being transferred overseas. Only in very rare cases, for instance, spare parts ordered overseas, data can be transferred internationally after getting regulatory approvals.

Musk also noted Tesla is working with regulators on finding best solutions for data security as he considered data protection should be a mutual effort from all industry players.

The establishment of data center in China was unveiled by Tesla in late May this year. The company said then the Shanghai-based facility was built to locally store data about Tesla's users and vehicles sold in the country.