Madam Chair,

We are witnessing rapid development of a new round of scientific and technological revolution featuring the use of cyber, digital and AI technologies. This is closely connected with all states' security and people's well-beings. At the same time, we are in face of growing risks of militarization, bloc confrontation and fragmantization in cyber and digital space, which pose emerging challenges to global security governance.

Cyber Security

Cyberspace has become a community with a shared future where all states share common stakes and interests. Pursuing absolute security will only bring absolute insecurity. Inciting division and confrontation will only jeopardize the digital future of all. All states should return to the right path of solidarity, win-win cooperation and mutual benefits, stick to true multilateralism, and develop and observe the same set of rules so as to safeguard peace and stability in cyberspace and share the opportunities of digital development. In this connection, maintaining peace in cyberspace should be our top priority. Formulating rules and regulations in cyberspace should be our common goal. Solidarity and cooperation should be our only right path.

Unfortunately, certain country has been developing offensive cyber capabilities, proliferating offensive cyber technologies and promoting rules of military engagement in cyberspace, intending to turn cyberspace into a new battlefield for major powers. This causes severe threats to global peace and strategic stability. China welcomes the 3rd annual progress report of the OEWG ICTs which expressed concern over the dissemination of intrusive ICT capabilities by states. China is ready for in-depth discussions with others member states to formulate new rules on this issue.

We should be vigilant about attempts to disseminate disinformation on attribution. China's cyber security agency has published a series of reports revealing the scandal that a certain country fabricated "Volt Typhoon" issue to shift blame to another country. It once again proved that until the key issue of substantiated attribution is resolved, any hasty application of the rules in the physical world into cyberspace, such as the international humanitarian law, state responsibility, the right to self-defense and others, may serve as an excuse for some states to wage cyber warfare against others, thus raising the risk of frictions and conflicts among states.

The OEWG is reaching final stage to conclude its work. We are now at a critical juncture of the global information security governance. All parties should strive for consolidating consensus on establishing a universal, single-track and effective mechanism under the framework of the OEWG, make long-term plans for the future mechanism, and safeguard lasting security and stability in cyberspace. In this process, all parties should earnestly implement and further develop the UN framework of responsible state behavior in the use of ICTs in a comprehensive and balanced manner, put into effect the existing consensus, and formulate new norms on data security and other emerging threats. The Global Initiative on Data Security proposed by China can serve as a blueprint for global rules-making in this connection.

The adoption of Global Digital Compact at the Summit of the Future demonstrates the strong confidence of all states in multilateralism, and embodies the common expectation of all states to advance global cyber and digital governance. The GDC calls upon all states to advance global digital governance under the guidance of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, strengthen global digital cooperation, bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive, open, fair and safe digital future. This is fundamentally different from certain state's attempt to create closed and exclusive small circles in the name of so-called "digital solidarity". All parties should take the opportunity of adopting the GDC to advance unity and cooperation, oppose division and confrontation, and inject new dynamics into global cyber and digital governance.

Under the new circumstances, the cyber and digital space should be a stage for strengthening solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefits, rather than a battling field of belligerence and zero-sum game. China is ready to work with all parties to address challenges, safeguard peace, promote development and jointly build a global community with a shared future in cyber and digital space.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a strategic technology that will lead the future. AI brings huge development opportunities to the world as well as unpredictable risks and challenges. China attaches great importance to the development, security and governance issues of Al. China has been implementing the Global Al Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and concrete measures have been taken by China to promote capacity-building of AI among developing countries. During the General Debate of this session of UNGA, China held a thematic event on international cooperation in Al capacity building and launched the Al Capacity-building Act Plan for Good and for All, which is aimed at promoting fair and inclusive AI global governance process. All parties should uphold the true multilateralism and ensure that every state will equally participate in and benefit from the AI development.

China supports international efforts to strengthen regulations on the military application of Al to prevent and control the potential risks. China advocates a cautious and responsible approach, as well as such principles as AI for good, human-centered, agile governance and multilateralism in governing military application of AI. China presented its Position Paper on Regulating Military Applications of Al under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons framework. China supports the due role of United Nations on the relevant issue, and opposes attempts of forming exclusive groups and creating technological barriers.

International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses

Science has no borders. Addressing the risks and challenges brought about by technological changes requires international cooperation. The peaceful use of science and technology and conducting related international cooperation are inalienable rights of all states, as enshrined in international legal instruments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. 

China has submitted the draft resolution (A/C.1/79/L.53) entitled Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security to the First Committee of 79th session of General Assembly. Consistent with previous resolutions (A/RES/76/234 and A/RES/77/96) adopted in 76th and 77th sessions of UNGA, this draft resolution aims to strengthen the role of the United Nations, promote dialogue and cooperation, advance non-proliferation and peaceful uses in a coordinated way, with a view to safeguarding all Member States' legal and legitimate right to peaceful use of science and technology, while addressing properly the security challenges brought about by the development of science and technology.

China has held consultations in Geneva and New York and has sought opinions and suggestions from various parties through capital channels. Upholding the resolution's objectives and core principles, we have made utmost efforts to incorporat suggestions and address concerns of all parties. The draft resolution emphasizes the importance of taking concrete measures to promote the peaceful use of science and technology and related international cooperation and encourages all parties to engage in dialogue to this end. Furthermore, based on the Pact for the Future and outcome documents of the Summit of the Group of 77 and China and the NAM Summit, the draft resolution further explicates the relations between development and security, identifies the challenges facing international cooperation on peaceful uses as well as the way forward.

China welcomes all member states to support this draft resolution and is ready to work with all parties to promote an open, inclusive and fair dialogue within the UN framework. While properly addressing the security challenges posed by technological developments, we will work together to safeguard the legitimate rights of all nations in the peaceful use of science and technology and to advance international cooperation and capacity building to this end.

I thank you, Madam Chair.