Cyberspace and U.S.-China Relations

Both the United States and China have identified cyberspace as critical to their economic and national security, and have adopted a number of domestic and international strategies to shape the Internet. At the same time, each country is likely to see the other as an important, if not the main, impediment to the pursuit of its interests in cyberspace. Washington and Beijing differ on the international governance of cyberspace, the definition and legitimacy of espionage, and the balance between the values of national sovereignty and the free flow of information. U.S. and Chinese technology companies battle over customers, international standards, and access to markets. Yet, the two sides have a shared interest in preventing third party attacks on critical infrastructure and in developing confidence-building measures in the areas of cyber conflict. Through writings in the New York Times, Wired, Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, and other media outlets, and by hosting a roundtable series, I explore how the two sides can stem the growing distrust and suggest workable policies.