Chinese strategy offers solution to global cyberspace governance

By Li Ning from People’s Daily

 

China on Wednesday released its strategy on cyberspace cooperation, with an aim to build a community of shared future in cyberspace around the globe. The roadmap offers the Chinese solution to difficulties the world is now facing in cyberspace governance.

 

The International Strategy of Cooperation on Cyberspace, issued by Foreign Ministry and State Internet Information Office, is the first document China has released regarding the virtual domain.

 

Themed with “peaceful development, win-win cooperation”, the strategic guideline illustrates China’s approach to cyberspace cooperation. It is the first comprehensive and systematic policy paper China wrote about international cooperation on this subject.

 

The strategic document called for an international cyberspace collaboration based on peace, sovereignty, shared governance and shared benefits.

 

In the paper, China urged the international community to ensure peace and security in cyberspace by observing the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter in real earnest, persist in equal-footed sovereignty, never pursue cyber hegemony or interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and put in place a multilateral, democratic and transparent global governance system based on international cyber rules drafted by all stakeholders.

 

All countries should strive for complementarity of strengths and common development of all countries in cyberspace, in a bid to bridge the digital divide and ensure that people across the world can share the benefits of internet development, the guideline advised.

 

In order to realize the final common community, actions speak first. The document listed China’s actions plans in terms of formulation of international rules, partnership, governance system, protection of human rights, security cooperation, cultural exchanges, and other three perspectives.

 

The remedies the guideline offered are based on China’s experience in Internet security and informationization undertakings, as well as the world’s cooperation fruits.

 

International cyberspace cooperation has been high on China’s agendas. Chinese President Xi Jinping, while addressing the second World Internet Conference in late 2015, proposed an accelerated reform of global Internet governance system as well as a cyberspace community of shared destiny.

 

China’s first strategic document in the subject demonstrates its firm determination to push ahead international cooperation, People’s Daily pointed out in its commentary under the byline of “Zhongsheng”.

 

The guideline not only declares China’s cyber policies in an all-round manner, but also depicts a prosperous and secure future for world cyber security, the article added.