International Strategy of Cooperation on Cyberspace
07/08/2022, 10:18
As a basic norm in contemporary international relations, the principle of sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter covers all aspects of state-to-state relations,
which also includes cyberspace. Countries should respect each other's right to choose their own path of cyber development, model of cyber regulation and
Internet public policies, and participate in international cyberspace governance on an equal footing. No country should pursue cyber hegemony, interfere in other
countries' internal affairs, or engage in, condone or support cyber activities that undermine other countries' national security.
Upholding sovereignty in cyberspace not only reflects governments' responsibility and right to administer cyberspace in accordance with law, but also enables
countries to build platforms for sound interactions among governments, businesses and social groups. This will foster a healthy environment for the
advancement of information technology and international exchange and cooperation.
National governments are entitled to administer cyberspace in accordance with law. They exercise jurisdiction over ICT infrastructure, resources and activities
within their territories, and are entitled to protect their ICT systems and resources from threat, disruption, attack and destruction so as to safeguard citizens'
legitimate rights and interests in cyberspace. National governments are entitled to enact public policies, laws and regulations with no foreign interference.
Countries should exercise their rights based on the principle of sovereign equality and also perform their due duties. No country should use ICT to interfere in
other countries' internal affairs or leverage its advantage to undermine the security of other countries' ICT product and service supply chain.
3. The Principle of Shared Governance
Cyberspace is the common space of activities for mankind, hence needs to be built and managed by all countries. International cyberspace governance should
follow a multilateral approach. Countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are all equal members of the international community entitled to equal
participation in developing international order and rules in cyberspace through international governance mechanisms and platforms, to ensure that the future
development of cyberspace is in the hands of all peoples.
Second, international cyberspace governance should feature multi-party participation. All parties, including governments, international organizations, Internet
companies, technology communities, non-governmental institutions and individual citizens, should play their respective roles in building an all-dimensional and
multi-tiered governance platform. Countries should enhance communication, improve cyberspace-related dialogue and consultation mechanisms and jointly
develop international cyber rules. The United Nations, as an important channel, should play a leading role in coordinating positions of various parties and building
international consensus. Other international mechanisms and platforms should also give play to their respective advantages to complement relevant efforts. The
international community needs to work together to manage jointly and distribute equitably basic Internet resources and put in place a multilateral, democratic and
transparent global governance system, so that the Internet will be a place of open resources and shared responsibilities governed through cooperation.
4. The Principle of Shared Benefits
Integrated development of the Internet and other sectors has overall and revolutionary significance on countries' economic structure, social formation and
innovation system, and provides strong driving force for world economic growth and the realization of sustainable development goal. To ensure Internet
development brings benefit to all regions and countries will facilitate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The international community should promote greater openness and cooperation in cyberspace, further substantiate and enhance the opening-up efforts, build
more platforms for communication and cooperation and strive for complementarity of strengths and common development of all countries in cyberspace. This will
ensure that people across the world can share the benefits of Internet development and a people-centered, development-oriented and inclusive information
society will be realized, as envisaged by the World Summit on the Information Society.
Countries should promote development cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels. In particular, more technical and financial assistance should
be channeled to developing countries for capacity building and help them seize the digital opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Chapter III. Strategic Goals
The strategic goal of China's participation in international cyberspace cooperation is: resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development
interests in cyberspace; ensure secure and orderly flow of information on the Internet; improve global connectivity; maintain peace, security and stability in
cyberspace; enhance international rule of law in cyberspace; promote global development of the digital economy; and deepen cultural exchange and mutual
learning, so that the fruits of Internet development will reach every corner of the world and benefit people of all countries.
1. Safeguarding Sovereignty and Security
China is committed to upholding peace and security in cyberspace and establishing a fair and reasonable international cyberspace order on the basis of state
sovereignty, and has worked actively to build international consensus in this respect. China firmly opposes any country using the Internet to interfere in other
countries' internal affairs and believes every country has the right and responsibility to maintain its cyber security and protect the legitimate rights and interests of
various parties in cyberspace through national laws and policies. The tendency of militarization and deterrence buildup in cyberspace is not conducive to
international security and strategic mutual trust. China encourages all parties to commit to peaceful settlement of disputes, non-use or threat of force and other
basic norms in international relations and put in place consultation and mediation mechanisms to forestall and avoid conflict, so that cyberspace will not become
a new battlefield.
Enhanced defense capability in cyberspace is an important part of China's endeavor to modernize its national defense and armed forces, which complies with
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