In what is being seen as its attempt to challenge what it calls “western hegemony” over the Internet world, China plans to move a proposal advocating “cyber sovereignty” for every country at the next BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen later this year.
China’s idea of “cyber sovereignty” is based on the premise that every country should be allowed to govern the cyber space in a way that they do not face any interference from other countries.
China is reportedly lobbying hard with India and other member-states of BRICS for formally accepting its concept of “cyber sovereignty”.
"As BRICS host this year, China stands ready to work together with Russia and other BRICS partners," Long Zhou, Coordinator, Cyber affairs division of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told media persons on Thursday after releasing a white paper on international cooperation in the cyber space.
Interestingly, China continues to advocate "cyber sovereignity" despite internal demands for Internet freedom in the country.
Refusing to buckle under both internal and western pressure for Internet freedom, China banned Internet giants like Goggle, Facebook and Twitter besides scores of foreign media sites.
China is promoting its own versions like Baidu and Sina Weibo taking advantage of the country having world’s highest Internet connectivity.
However, it will not be easy for India to accept China’s idea of “cyber sovereignty” because a majority of Indian IT companies are dependent on western markets.
