US-China relations: from cybersecurity to cyber-collaboration

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his wife Peng Liyuan wave upon their arrival in Seattle, the United States, Sept. 22, 2015. Xi arrived in this east Pacific coast city on Tuesday morning for his first state visit to the US. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cybersecurity is a top priority agenda item on President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US this year. Troubled by large-scale cyberattacks in recent months, all of which were allegedly launched from China, President Obama has made it clear that the US will not tolerate similar attacks. In a recent speech, President Obama assured business leaders that the US has the necessary capacity to "take countervailing measures" against espionage and the theft of trade secrets.

In this context, it is expected that cybersecurity concerns will be raised, and discussed at great depth, during President Xi’s visit.

What approaches can be taken to address cybersecurity concerns?

One is to emphasize retaliation, what some have called tit-for-tat. This approach is threat-based: If your country commits malicious acts on my country, expect us to return the favor! We will be more sophisticated and incur deeper harms to you in the cyber world. So, just don’t mess with me. I can, and will beat you down!

Building trust is the other alternative approach. Whether it is business, science, or politics, trust is the fundamental denominator that unites stakeholders in the field. This approach doesn't require the US and China to assume a hostile position to begin with in any discussion on cybersecurity. But, to be effective, the leadership needs to pledge allegiance to the protection of intellectual property. If a piece of information or knowledge is open-source, feel free to use it. If the author requires a price or acknowledgement, do accordingly.

In the cyber world, the commitment to intellectual property is the basis of trust. Both American and Chinese leaders should demonstrate this commitment with concrete actions. Actions always speak louder than words.

Importantly, a trust-based approach to address cybersecurity issues can make the cyber world a new collaborative space, not a battleground. Advances in the Internet and mobile technology have already made virtual interactions convenient and inexpensive. American and Chinese business leaders, scientists and politicians should build on this achievement to make the cyber world a place for productive collaborations.

With increased collaborations, additional measures to address cybersecurity concerns that are creative, feasible and culturally appropriate will likely arise.