Data security a crucial issue, Wang tells G20

China may propose an initiative to safeguard data security to protect the supply chain of global IT products and services, state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi said.

While urging countries to fulfil the potential of digital economies by nurturing new post-pandemic business models, Wang said data security remains a concern for the international community.

He said this in a video conference speech to the Group of 20 foreign ministers on Thursday night.

China called on G20 members to communicate and coordinate constructively as well as attach importance to data security and cross-border data flows, he said.

This is meant to create an open and fair environment to share the development dividends of the digital economy, he added.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, Wang has used a number of events to voice China’s support for international cooperation in combating the disease and to propose the country’s initiatives to reduce its impact on the global economy.

On Friday night, he also attended a meeting of the foreign ministers of BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – via video link.

Wang has made the country’s firm support clear for multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation in responding to the pandemic and promoting economic recovery.

While speaking to the G20 foreign ministers, Wang proposed an initiative to facilitate the cross-border movement of people and goods, and said China stands ready to work with other G20 countries to translate the initiative into action.

All parties should gradually expand personnel exchanges and upgrade established bilateral channels to multilateral networks using proper anti-epidemic measures, he said. — China Daily/ANN