Fragmenting Cyberspace and Constructing Cyber Norms: China’s Efforts to Reshape Global Cyber Governance

Abstract

Digitalisation has been an essential element behind the process of globalization, proposing new ways of interacting among nations and states. With its rise in the digital domain, China has increased its involvement in the global dialogue regarding cyber governance. China has sought to achieve a position from which it is capable of reshaping the global digital domain as dictated by its interests. This endeavour into cyberspace leadership entails not only technological but also political transitions. Hence, this article explores China’s attempts to dictate the future direction of cyber norms and investigates this process of discursive production in an effort to understand how China may expand its influence, reshape the expectations of international audiences, and establish a favourable strategic environment by “telling China’s stories well”. The investigation concludes by discussing the implications for the international community and cyberspace.

Keywords

• discourse power
• global cyber governance
• cyber norms
• data governance
• cyber sovereignty