China's cyber governance stance hailed

China's advocacy for digital sovereignty and inclusive development in global cyber governance can help bridge the artificial intelligence divide and foster more inclusive global AI infrastructure and governance, experts said.

Their comments came as China recently submitted its position paper on global cyber governance in the digital age to the Global Mechanism on Information and Communications Technologies in the Context of International Security, the first plenary meeting of which opened at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday. The mechanism, established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in November, is the first permanent, institutionalized multilateral dialogue platform within the UN dedicated to state use of ICTs.

In the paper, China outlined key principles for global cyber governance, including adherence to international rules, respect for digital sovereignty and the need to uphold multilateralism. "Countries should respect each other's digital sovereignty, and they all have the right to independently choose their paths of digital intelligent technology development, including AI, as well as to independently choose AI technologies, products and services in light of their respective national conditions," it said.

Xin Yanyan, deputy secretary-general of the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance based in Fudan University, said that digital sovereignty aims to safeguard every nation's right to independent research and development, thereby fostering truly inclusive and equitable development of technologies such as AI. The practical value lies in dismantling "small yard, high fence" barriers to facilitate open and unimpeded scientific and technological exchanges, she said.

By leveraging responsible open-source ecosystems and fostering independent innovation, countries, especially those in the Global South, can enhance their tech capabilities, bridge the AI divide and protect their data autonomy, Xin said.

Digital sovereignty is essential for preserving diversity in the intelligent age, she said. "While AI value alignment must address universal technical risks, it should also respect global cultural diversity, rather than enforcing a singular ideological template," Xin added.

China's position paper highlighted the significance of multilateralism in AI governance, stating that "international governance should not be replaced by small-circle governance, and no country should unilaterally impose rules on others".

Zhang Xin, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics' School of Law, noted that China's stance directly tackles the problem of rule fragmentation in global cyber governance. "It reaffirms a commitment to multilateralism, promoting equal participation of all countries in refining rules," she said.

Zhang underscored the paper's positive impact on developing nations, which often confront "a double dilemma" of digital and security divides. It offers a practical solution on bridging the North-South gap, empowering the Global South's voice in cyberspace governance and enabling developing countries to transition from passive rule recipients to active co-developers, she said.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that digital sovereignty is a key principle put forward by China. The nation "is willing to strengthen cooperation with all parties to promote the development of the international order in cyberspace toward greater fairness, rationality and effectiveness, and to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace", he said.

Contact the writers at yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn