China’s hosting of the Second World Internet Conference (WIC) is yet another expression of its commitment to play a responsible role in cyber sphere. It illustrates President Xi Jinping’s pledge that China will “work with other countries to deepen international cooperation, uphold cybersecurity and jointly build a cyberspace of peace, security, openness and cooperation”.

Indeed, the second WIC represents a global and multilateral effort. Around half of the more than 2000 delegates are international participants, including delegates from tech giants such as Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, LinkedIn and Netflix. And for the first time, the WIC is being co-organized with important international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

China’s contributions to global cyber progress are not limited to just playing an active role in Internet summitry. In recent months, China signed landmark cybersecurity pacts with the United Kingdom and the United States, pledging greater cooperation with these leading Internet countries to thwart or combat cyber attacks. On the latter agreement, even before it was made, China had demonstrated a collaborative attitude by arresting hackers at the request of the US government.

… Hoo Tiang Boon, a coordinator, MSc. (Asian Studies) programme, and Assistant Professor with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.