China offers global data security plan

Countries urged to respect sovereignty, jurisdiction of online info

China will launch a global data security initiative that can serve as a global standard for data security, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced via video at an international seminar on “Seizing digital opportunities for cooperation and development” on Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang also noted that China has not asked and will not ask Chinese companies to transfer overseas data to the Chinese government in breach of other countries’ laws

.The initiative comes as experts believe that mounting data security risks have put national security, public interests and personal rights at stake, and pose new challenges to global digital governance.

Wang said China’s initiative includes eight proposals. China suggests that states handle data security in a comprehensive, objective and evidence-based manner, and opposes ICT (information and communications technology) activities that use data to conduct activities that undermine other states’ national security and interests.

China called on states to oppose mass surveillance against other states, and not to request domestic companies to store data generated and obtained overseas in their own territory.

States should respect the sovereignty, jurisdiction and governance of data of other states, and any bilateral data access agreement should not infringe upon the judicial sovereignty and data security of a third state, Wang said.

ICT products and service providers should not install backdoors in their products and services to illegally obtain user data, or control or manipulate users’ systems and devices, and that ICT companies should not seek illegitimate interests by taking advantage of user dependence on their products, nor force users to upgrade their systems and devices, Wang added.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday that the initiative aims to safeguard global data and supply chain security, promote the development of the digital economy, and provide a blueprint for the formulation of global rules. This initiative is also China’s commitment to safeguard global data security.

Zhao said China is calling on all governments and companies to support its initiative, and to jointly shoulder global responsibility in the digital age.

If all countries, especially those who deliberately slander China, can commit like China, it will help enhance mutual trust and cooperation on data security, Zhao said.

The number of mobile internet users has reached 3.5 billion globally, and the digital economy makes up more than 15 percent of the global GDP, while data laws and regulations differ among countries.

Qin An, head of the Beijingbased Institute of China Cyberspace Strategy, said that the initiative is a Chinese approach and a Chinese attitude to the global response to cybersecurity issues.

China has not asked and will not ask Chinese companies to transfer overseas data to the Chinese government in breach of other countries’ laws.

Wang Yi

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister