Mr. Chairman,

As the epidemic situation is driving the trend of digitalization and networking, digital economy becomes the new engine of economic recovery, and data serves as the new impetus for innovation and development, which has accelerated the arrival of a new era of digital civilization. At the same time, we are also faced with emerging risks and challenges, including the rampancy of cyber attacks, cyber crimes and cyber terrorism, the grave risks imposed upon critical information infrastructures. Some states attempt to turn the cyberspace into a new battlefield where they can pursue a strategy of deterrence by forging military alliance, which will jeopardize international peace and security. Certain State abuses national security concept to suppress foreign leading companies, pursues bloc politics and introduces ideological differences. Such moves will deliberately fragment global supply chain by creating divisions and undermine global development and cooperation. 

To effectively address these challenges, all States should build up mutual trust, deepen cooperation, jointly advance global governance and international rules-making in cyberspace, thus building a peace, secure and prosperous cyberspace.

First, States should stay committed to maintaining peace. Digital technologies are deeply integrated into real life. Cyber war can not be won and must never be fought. All States should observe the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, particularly principles of sovereignty, non-interference of internal affairs, refraining from the threat or use of force, and peaceful settlement of international disputes. States should faithfully maintain the peaceful nature of cyberspace and strongly oppose arms race in cyberspace, and address threats through dialogues and cooperation.

Second, States should ensure fairness and justice. All states, in disregard of size, development level and political position, should equally enjoy digital opportunities. Double standards, slandering others, hyping up ideological differences, deliberately interrupting global industrial, supply and value chains run counter to the laws of economic development and the trend of globalization, and will eventually hamper their own development.

Third, States should balance security and development. ICTs security and economic development not only build upon, but also support each other. We should hold on to the master key of development in addressing security challenges, further our dedication to bridging digital gap, and take tangible moves to address disparate development. At the same time, we should create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the development of ICTs, and prevent the generalization and abuse of “national security concerns” especially as a pretext to suppress other states’ rightful economic and technical development.

Fourth, State should develop international norms in cyberspace. Formulating universally accepted rules and norms are the key to maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace. The United Nations should play a leading role in this regard. The successful outcomes of both OEWG and UNGGE this year highlight the common aspirations of the international community to further discussion and build consensus on relevant issues. We will work together with all parties to deliver more outcomes from the 2021-2025 OEWG, and to forge new order of digital governance that reflects the will and the interests of most States. 

Mr. Chairman,

China actively advocates dialogues and cooperation in cyberspace. China has always been playing a constructive role in multilateral process under the auspices of the UN, deepening cooperation on cyber security within the framework of SCO, BRICS and ARF, and stepping up bilateral dialogues on cyber affairs. We proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security and released together with the League of Arab States the China-LAS Cooperation Initiative on Data Security, offering constructive solutions to maintaining global data and supply chain safety and stepping up digital development and cooperation. To build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, China is ready to make unremitting efforts with all parties to further explore ways to address new threats and challenges and maintain prosperity and stability in cyberspace.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.