Russia and China reiterate readiness to advance cooperation in ‘international information security’

In a statement issued at the end of their 4 February meeting, the presidents of Russia and China:

• Agreed to adopt a plan for bilateral cooperation in ‘international information security’.
• Reaffirmed the key role of the UN in responding to threats to international information security.
• Welcomed the UN Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) 2021–2025 (OEWG) and noted that the Global Initiative on Data Security provides a basis for the OEWG discussions on data security threats and other threats to international information security.
• Called for consolidated efforts of the international community to develop new norms of responsible behaviour of states, as well as a universal international legal instrument regulating the state activities in the field of ICT.
• Expressed support for the work of the relevant Ad Hoc Committee of Governmental Experts which works on a potential cybercrime convention.
• Expressed support for the ‘internationalisation of internet governance’, with ‘equal rights to its governance’.
• Noted that ‘attempts to limit their sovereign right to regulate national segments of the Internet and ensure their security are unacceptable’.