China pushes for new global standard on data security

• For a global solution where nations uphold multilateralism, pursuing extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits
• For a set of international rules on data security that reflect the will and respect the interests of all countries through broad-based participation 

China has launched a new initiative to set global standards on data security and has called upon countries to enact relevant laws to store locally generated data within its borders.

It has also urged technology providers to not install backdoors in their products and services to illegally obtain user data.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the details of the initiative at a seminar “Seizing Digital Opportunities for Cooperation and Development” in Beijing on Tuesday. 

Stating that the mounting risks of data security have put national security, public interests, and personal rights at stake, the developments he said has posed new challenges to global digital governance.  “The frequent and massive cross-border data flow puts to the test the governance capacity of national governments in terms of governance philosophy, legislative framework, and regulatory mechanism. 

Calling upon countries to come together and come up with a global solution, he urged nations to uphold multilateralism, pursuing extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits. “Countries need to intensify pragmatic cooperation and embark on a path of mutual trust and collective governance,”  he said. 

Referring to the United States, Yi said, “A certain country keeps making groundless accusations against others in the name of “clean” network and used security as a pretext to prey on enterprises of other countries who have a competitive edge,” and urged countries to develop a set of international rules on data security that reflect the will and respect the interests of all countries through broad-based participation. 

Following are the main tenets of the proposed initiative: 

1. Approach data security with an objective and rational attitude, and maintain an open, secure, and stable global supply chain.
2. Oppose using ICT activities to impair other States’ critical infrastructure or steal important data.
3. Take actions to prevent and put an end to activities that infringe upon personal information, oppose abusing ICT to conduct mass surveillance against other States or engage in unauthorized collection of personal information of other States.
4. Ask companies to respect the laws of host countries, desist from coercing domestic companies into storing data generated and obtained overseas in one’s own territory.
5. Respect the sovereignty, jurisdiction and governance of data of other States, avoid asking companies or individuals to provide data located in other States without the latter’s permission.
6. Meet law enforcement needs for overseas data through judicial assistance or other appropriate channels.
7. ICT products and services providers should not install backdoors in their products and services to illegally obtain user data.
8. ICT companies should not seek illegitimate interests by taking advantage of users’ dependence on their products.