Chinese administrative law uses the United Nations rules for Electronic Data Exchange, originally using the 1986 rules. The standards as adopted in China refer to any exchange of data between two parties that establishes an agreement or is used to perform it. The updated United Nations rules on e-commerce, dating to 1986, were adapted to include a definition that a data message means any information transmitted by electronic or optical means, which can include any exchange of electronic data, e-mail, or fax. The e-sign and e-commerce laws in China use a similar definition.