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Speech by WANG Lei, Coordinator for Cyber Affairs ,at the 6th World Internet Conference

2019-10-24 14:06

Cyberspace,as a new domain,requires relevant rules,norms and code of conduct. The discussions we had this afternoon are highly relevant,underpinning the importance and urgency to formulate international rules and norms in cyberspace. I would like to share a few thoughts on this topic.

First,we should maintain peace and security of cyberspace. ICT touches every aspect of a state's politics,economy,society and people's lives. Consequences of cyber conflicts among states especially big powers are beyond imagination. Cyber war can not be won and must never be fought. This should be a consensus of the international community. Back to 2011,China,Russia and other member countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organization proposed the world's first "International Code of Conduct for Information Security" to the UN. With our joint efforts,the UN has established multiple rounds of Groups of Governmental Experts(GGE) to discuss this issue and reached important consensus,which incorporated the crux of our proposal and made it clear that all countries should abide by international law based on the UN Charter,and stay committed to upholding peace and cooperation in cyberspace. However,it is regrettable that 27 countries issued a joint statement on responsible state behavior in cyberspace during the UN General Assembly,misinterpreting the GGE reports and deliberately sidestepping the international consensus to build a peaceful cyberspace. We hope that certain country's "withdrawal doctrine" will not repeat in cyberspace, and call on all parties to stick to the consensus and uphold the sanctity of the GGE reports.

Second, we should pursue shared prosperity and shared responsibility.Cyberspace is the common space of activities for mankind,and needs to be built and governed by all as countries are bound together by intertwined interests. China is a long-time supporter of respecting cyber sovereignty of all countries, advocating that cyberspace is not a lawless domain, and opposing interference in other countries' domestic affairs through cyberspace. However,certain countries have repeatedly rejected China's proposals under the pretext of "freedom of speech" and "human rights", insisting that "offline rights shall be exercised online". But with the passage of time,these countries themselves have come to realize that cyber crimes and cyber terrorism are common challenges faced by all. In the wake of the appalling terrorist attack in New Zealand,these countries offered a proposal that "offline obligations should be observed online". And more recently,they asked for a ban on interfering in other countries' elections through cyberspace. This fully demonstrate that cybersecurity is an issue faced by all countries,regardless of their sizes,development levels or political positions. Only through win-win cooperation can all countries share the development opportunities of digital economy,and address the risks and challenges in cyberspace.

Third,we should not politicize cybersecurity issue. Certain countries have been busy hyping up the "5G supply-chain security" issue for some time. However, people with the slightest knowledge of the history of ICTs will know that supply-chain security has always been there throughout the development and evolution of ICTs. It is not something new nor exclusive to 5G. Certain countries fabricated the so-called "Prague Proposals", relating supply-chain security to a country's "model of governance" in a flagrant move to politicize a technology issue. The PRISM plan reveals to us that it is a western country that has launched the largest and indiscriminate cyber thefts across the world. This speaks volume for the fact that cybersecurity has nothing to do with "model of governance". We hope that all parties can act on a fair, just and non-discriminatory basis, and discuss international rules regarding supply-chain security on a widely-participated multilateral platform.

Fourth, we should uphold the cyberspace governance model with the UN at the center and wide participation of various parties. China calls for the formulation of universally accepted rules, norms and code of conduct under the auspices of the UN for countries and various actors to regulate their behavior, promote cooperation and maintain peace, stability and prosperity of cyberspace. At the same time, we should bring the roles of governments, international organizations, ICT companies, technical communities, civil organizations and individuals into full play, enhance communication and coordination, and forge a comprehensive and mufti-layered governance framework.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We live in a digital world that mankind has never seen before. Cyberspace and physical space are deeply integrated, and states are more dependent on ICTs than ever before in a far-reaching and complicated way. All states have a stake in ensuring global governance in the cyberspace when it comes to their security and long-term development. China will stay committed to upholding multilateralism, follow the basic principles governing international relations based on the UN Charter, build more partnerships in cyberspace, and work with all parties to forge a cyberspace that is peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and with a sound order and build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

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