Reality of the virtual world

The Internet is the common wealth of humankind and should not be reduced to a tool dominated by one power to expand its hegemony and make irresponsible remarks against other states.

With the role of information networks becoming indispensable, more countries recognize that cyberspace should not be a "wild west" and the principle of sovereignty should apply to the seemingly boundless cyberspace, too. Even the US' International Strategy for Cyberspace says "the digital world is no longer a lawless frontier" and "it is a place where the norms of responsible, just and peaceful conduct among states and peoples have begun to take hold".

In fact, regulating the Internet according to law and in a reasonable and scientific way is to create favorable conditions for technology innovation, free flow of information and the establishment of "an open, interoperable, secure and reliable cyberspace". And respecting states' sovereignty, interests and domestic laws and regulations is a fundamental premise for deepening cooperation in cyberspace.

The third obstacle is the deterrence theory, which is quite rife and rampant in the US. The US is at the point of turning cyberspace into a new battlefield. In the light of the US' nuclear deterrence theory of mutually assured destruction during the Cold War, a network-deterrent framework is gradually taking hold among American policymakers.

On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed recent media reports by publishing its first cyber strategy, including a list of cyber weapons and tools and the core contents of its new computer warfare strategy. Much to the concern of the rest of the world, the US is ready to carry out "online espionage during peace time" and "retaliatory actions in wartime", defend its cyberspace aggressively and set up a "cyber shield" with its allies.

The principle of meeting violence with violence in cyberspace is the same as the development of as many nuclear weapons as possible during the Cold War. The US will do everything to "deter" criminal gangs and terrorist groups in other sovereign states. It has not only powerful network defense capability, but also advanced cyber weapons that can sabotage other countries' networks.

But the effectiveness of cyber deterrence is questionable because of the specificity, complexity and uncertainty of cyber technologies. Moreover, the deterrence theory has exacerbated the distrust and insecurity among countries and thus hindered international cooperation in cyberspace.

The US is the only information technology (IT) superpower, while China is just the largest developing country trying hard to catch up with international IT standards. But the two countries' views on, knowledge of and attitudes toward cyberspace will directly determine the tone of the international community in managing cyberspace. Whether they resort to war or choose peaceful coexistence in cyberspace will determine the stability and security of cyberspace.

So China and the US should do away with stereotypes, be open with each other, enhance mutual trust and jointly play the leading role in making peaceful use of cyberspace a reality.

The author is deputy director of the Institute of Information and Social Development Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

(China Daily 07/16/2011 page5)