REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN CYBER CAPABILITIES

REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN CYBER CAPABILITIES*

April 20, 2018

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Central Committee’s decision on strengthening the Party’s centralized, unified leadership over cybersecurity and informatization and its strategic planning of this work have proved to be absolutely correct. Consistent innovation in theory and practice has helped us to embark on a path of cyberspace governance with Chinese characteristics, and form a strategy for strengthening China’s cyber capabilities based on a range of new visions, ideas and concepts. The following achievements stand out:

First, we have clarified how cybersecurity and informatization relate to the overall interests of our Party and country. We have pointed out that national security is incomplete without cybersecurity, and that modernization cannot be achieved without informatization. Both affect good governance, the Party’s long-term governing status, the country’s lasting security, economic and social development, and the people’s wellbeing. If we fail to adapt to the internet, we will not be in power for long. We should boost cybersecurity and informatization as a major priority in the overall work of the Party and the government, and strengthen the Party’s centralized, unified leadership in this area.

Second, we have clarified the strategic goal of building China into a country with strong cyber capabilities. We have called for great efforts to strengthen cyber capabilities in support of the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. In line with the requirement of excelling in technology, content, infrastructure, human resources, and influence on international discourse, we should forge ahead with the following objectives: universal access to internet infrastructure, a marked increase in the capacity for homegrown innovation, all-round development of the digital economy, cybersecurity under effective protection, and balanced offensive and defensive capabilities. Our ultimate goals are technological sophistication, industrial prosperity, readiness for both offensive and defensive operations, full command of cyberspace, and an unbreakable cybersecurity system. 

Third, we have clarified the means of strengthening China’s cyber capabilities. We have called for innovation-driven development, law-based governance, guaranteed security, maximizing gains while minimizing risks, and benefiting the people. We should pursue innovation-driven development, exploring new development drivers through informatization and promoting new development with these drivers. We should be committed to law-based cyberspace governance, ensuring that the internet always develops in a healthy way and in accordance with the law. With a sound understanding of cybersecurity, we should build strong bulwarks for national cybersecurity. We should give equal importance to healthy development and defense against threats, size up opportunities and challenges, and make the internet more beneficial to society. In keeping with our people-centered development philosophy, we should give the public a greater sense of gain when it comes to sharing all that the internet can offer. 

Fourth, we have clarified our position on international cyberspace governance. We have called for four principles: respect for cyber sovereignty, maintenance of peace and security, promotion of openness and cooperation, and good order. We have advocated a five-point initiative on building a community of shared future in cyberspace: expediting the construction of global internet infrastructure, building a shared online platform for cultural exchanges, promoting innovative development of the cyber economy, ensuring cybersecurity, and establishing an internet governance system. We have underlined the need to promote development, safeguard security, participate in governance, and share the benefits, in order to build a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace. 

Fifth, we have clarified our basic approach to cyberspace work. We have realized that as this work involves multiple sectors, it is essential to strengthen coordination, adopt comprehensive measures, and forge greater synergy. We should strike a balance between security and development, between freedom and order, between openness and self-reliance, and between administration and service. We should integrate content development, cybersecurity, informatization, and international cyberspace governance. 

All these important ideas are fundamental to cyberspace work and must be implemented and developed in the long run.

∗ Part of the speech at the National Conference on Cybersecurity and Informatization.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)