Not a "New Battlefield" for Digital Iron Curtain, Wang Yi: The Internet should be a "Big Stage" for a Hundred Flowers to Blossom. National | Security | Network
On July 24th, Wang Yi, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Central Committee, attended the "Friends of Senior Representatives on Security Affairs of BRICS Countries" meeting in Johannesburg. South African President's Office Minister Nteschaveni, Brazilian President's Chief Special Adviser Amorim, Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Patrushev, Indian National Security Adviser Dovar and representatives of Belarus, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Burundi, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Cuba and other countries attended. The meeting had in-depth discussions on the theme of "cybersecurity becoming a challenge for developing countries".
Wang Yi stated that cybersecurity is an important cornerstone of national security. In the face of common challenges, we should strengthen strategic communication, clarify the direction of cooperation, and safeguard common interests. Wang Yi proposed four suggestions for maintaining network security:
One is to build a fair and reasonable cyberspace. The future of cyberspace should be jointly created by all countries, and the security of cyberspace should also be jointly maintained by all countries. We should practice genuine multilateralism, support the United Nations in playing a central role in global governance in cyberspace, fully listen to the legitimate concerns of developing countries, establish fair and reasonable international rules, and improve a democratic and transparent Internet governance system.
The second is to build an open and inclusive cyberspace. The life of the internet lies in interconnectivity, and the core lies in openness. The cyberspace should be a grand stage with a hundred flowers blooming, rather than a new battlefield with a digital iron curtain. We must adhere to fairness and justice, oppose any form of technological hegemony or cyber hegemony, and allow all parties to do their best and take what they need in an open and inclusive cyberspace.
The third is to build a secure and stable cyberspace. We must abide by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, respect the network development path and management model independently chosen by all countries, practice a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, advocate for the peaceful use of cyberspace, resolutely resist the arms race on the Internet, and oppose attempts to use cyberspace to promote a "color revolution".
The fourth is to build a vibrant and dynamic online space. We must coordinate development and security, adhere to the principles of "people-oriented" and "intelligent for good", ensure national security and public interests, seize digital opportunities, bridge the digital divide, share digital dividends, ensure the openness, security, and stability of the global information and communication supply chain, and stimulate the potential and vitality of international cooperation in cyberspace.
Wang Yi emphasized that China attaches great importance to cybersecurity issues, actively participates in global network governance, and makes China's contribution to maintaining global data and cybersecurity. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation with emerging market countries and developing countries, and continuously make efforts to promote the transformation of the global network governance system and build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
Various parties have expressed that with the rapid development of information and communication technology, the importance of maintaining network security is becoming increasingly prominent. The international community should strengthen and regulate the use of information and communication technology, jointly combat cybercrime, promote digital connectivity, narrow the digital divide, strengthen international cooperation in technological innovation, and promote the economic and social development of all countries. We should reform and improve the global network governance system, increase the representation and voice of developing countries. BRICS countries and "BRICS Friends" should work together to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as cybersecurity, create a mutually beneficial, inclusive, and secure international environment, achieve common security and development, and promote global peace and prosperity.
