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China has proposed an eight-point global initiative on data security to foster a rules-based digital environment in which States can pursue both security and development in peace.
In a note to Government yesterday, the Chinese Embassy said the initiative called for balanced approach to technological progress, economic development and protection of national security and public interest.
This comes after President Mnangagwa last month condemned unjustified cyber-attacks on Zimbabwe from detractors with an agenda of regime change, who knew there was no truth in allegations of human rights violations they were making.
He was speaking with Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Guo Shaochun after receiving a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Chinese government.
Zimbabwe is in the process of enacting a Cybersecurity and Data Protection law, with the Bill now at an advanced stage in Parliament.
It is aimed at ensuring a safer cyberspace for citizens. Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Wang Yi outlined the eight-point initiative at an International Seminar on Global Digital Conference in Beijing yesterday.
He said the initiative wants states to approach data security with an objective and rational attitude, and maintain an open, secure and stable global supply chain. States should also oppose using ICT activities to impair other States’ critical infrastructure or steal important data.
They should 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 unauthorised collection of personal information of other States.
The initiative includes asking 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. It calls for respecting of the sovereignty, jurisdiction and governance of data of other states, and avoid asking companies or individuals to provide data located in other States without the latter’s permission.
States should also meet law enforcement needs for overseas data through judicial assistance or other appropriate channels, and that ICT products and services providers should not install backdoors in their products and services to illegally obtain user data.
ICT companies were not supposed to seek illegitimate interests by taking advantage of users’ dependence on their products.
“Security in cyberspace is a common challenge faced by China and Zimbabwe and many other developing countries,” said the Chinese Embassy.
“China believes States have the responsibility and right to ensure the security of important data and personal information bearing on their national security, public security, economic security and social stability.”
The Embassy said China hoped a global process would be launched on the eight-points, with input from all sides.
“Zimbabwe’s open support for the Global Initiative on Data Security and suggestions on how to move forward would be highly appreciated and would go a long way towards enhancing global digital governance and shared interests of the developing world,” said the Embassy.
Addressing delegates to the seminar in Beijing, Mr Wang said the mounting risks of data security had put national security, public interests and personal rights at stake.
This, he said, posed new challenges to global digital governance.
Mr Wang said it was important to develop a set of international rules on data security that reflected the will and respect the interests of all countries through broad-based participation.
Online Reporter