Threats to cybersecurity continue to grow, and the global society needs bold ideas and innovations to address these challenges. (PHOTO / IC)
SINGAPORE – A Chinese official on Wednesday rebutted a US official's groundless attacks on China's digital cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, saying the United States is seeking to maintain its monopoly position in cyberspace.
Wang Lei, coordinator for cyber affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, was responding to attacks made by US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas while attending the seventh Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW).
Wang Lei, coordinator for cyber affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, was responding to attacks made by US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas while attending the seventh Singapore International Cyber Week
The current situation in cyberspace is serious and "our world is in big trouble and divides are growing deeper," Wang quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks at this year's UN General Assembly as saying.
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Stressing that some countries are using "strategic competition" to maintain their own monopoly power, Wang reiterated that China is not interested in challenging any other country and China's development is only aimed at improving its people's livelihood.
"No one can say that China must be suppressed simply because it is catching up with the largest economy in the world and its technology enterprises continue to grow," Wang said, adding all people around the world should enjoy an equal right to development.
"China does not export hunger, war and conflicts or political system. On the contrary, China is a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions and Chinese technology companies are assisting the digital development in various countries," Wang said.
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"Only a few countries take China's development as a challenge. To the majority of countries, China's development is an opportunity," he stressed.
Some countries deliberately introduce ideological differences into the cyber and digital sphere, Wang said.
"If we look back at the modern and contemporary history of mankind, few conflicts originated from differences of values, but many conflicts were started under the excuse of 'difference of values,'" he said.
Wang called on the international community to enhance and rebuild confidence and trust among countries in cyberspace by upholding the current international system, jointly developing and observing multilateral rules, and respecting the interests and voices of middle-ground countries.
"Major countries should not force middle-ground countries to take sides and there is no need for these countries to pick sides," Wang said.
By making groundless allegations about cyber security issues, the US side attempted to fan flames in the region with irresponsible remarks, said Wang.
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The United States has underestimated the mutual trust between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and the political wisdom of ASEAN countries, Wang said to Xinhua.
The United States has a bad record of cyber surveillance even among its European allies, and ASEAN countries have their judgment on the real intentions of the United States, he added.
Organized by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, the seventh SICW brings together officials, industry leaders and scholars across the world.
This year it is held under the theme of "Digital Security: A Shared Responsibility."