While the United States intensifies its fault-finding with Chinese apps in excuse of security, China has raised and promoted the Global Initiative on Data Security since Sept 8 which is aimed at maintaining data security in a comprehensive, objective and evidence-based manner.

This Chinese move was in sharp contrast with a US Clean Network program announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in August, which was to exclude Chinese telecommunication firms, apps, cloud providers and submarine cable from the US market. Evidently, the United States is trying to obstruct China in the technical field following tariffs on trade which are found illegal by judges of the World Trade Organization. 

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The US is already hitting hard on apps like TikTok or WeChat on national security grounds, after sabotaging China-based telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co.

China considers collection of personal data and conducting large-scale surveillance to be illegal and that the unwitting collection of information to be a violation of cyber sovereignty

An initiative to establish global data security rules is the Chinese reply to the US assaults as well as Chinese efforts for the common good of the whole world. China justifies the initiative as a move to protect cyber sovereignty. China considers collection of personal data and conducting large-scale surveillance to be illegal and that the unwitting collection of information to be a violation of cyber sovereignty.

China has accused the US of harassing Chinese companies and stealing information from ordinary citizens, citing national security concerns. Here, when China speaks of cyber sovereignty, it is trying to unite the world against US data theft.

Stealing of personal data is a clear violation of individual sovereignty and human rights. As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Sept 7, “The US is covered in mud all over and is in no position to criticize others.” He said: “Through such programs as PRISM, Equation Group, Echelon, it has forged an empire of spying, tapping and hacking.”

Since the 1980s, the West, including the US, has tried to assert its influence in numerous regions under the drumbeat of promoting development. 

The West's policies and methods were first to create political instability by overthrowing the democratically elected but uncompliant government followed by replacing it with their local ally. The West would follow this up by offering development assistance in building basic local infrastructures such as roads and bridges.

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Beginning in the 1990s, the concept of development began to change. In addition to infrastructural development, the IT sector began to exert its influence in the development programs by opening new doors for trade and investment. Although initially, the US, including European countries, controlled the IT sector, in recent years Chinese companies with a wide range of low-cost IT services and products have changed the IT landscape, which impacts overall economic development, including poverty upliftment, the proliferation of start-ups, and even how people conduct their commerce and daily lives.

Alibaba from China is the first company to challenge the Western monopoly in the tech business. After that, various apps such as WeChat, TickTock, and others quickly gained popularity around the world.

According to the development trajectories in recent times, it is clear that China is not only engaged in the development of infrastructures in countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative, it also provides affordable IT services and products which greatly help with local economic development. As a result, Chinese companies capture the markets of populous and developing countries quickly.

On the whole, China seeks to strengthen cooperation with different countries through trade and investments, apart from its affordable IT products and services. Through climate politics or the formation of BRICS, China expands its influence on the world stage by befriending many countries and offering assistance as appropriate. 

On the whole, China seeks to strengthen cooperation with different countries through trade and investments, apart from its affordable IT products and services 

This same policy is reflected in China's initiative on data protection. China asks all states to be careful about data security and is encouraging other countries to sign on.

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Nowadays, the US has not been able to compete with China in several areas. Its dismal performance in managing the COVID-19 pandemic has given it the distinction of suffering the largest number of casualties and infections.  This contrasts starkly with China’s prompt and decisive moves with its city-wide lockdowns and other stringent anti-COVID-19 protective measures.

Moreover, China is on the verge of marketing an anti-COVID vaccine. The third phase of this vaccine trials by Chinese companies is underway. It is expected that the Chinese vaccine will be available before America’s which will bring China closer to conquering the global pharmaceutical market.

China is also driving the global economy. The US, however, is restricting American IT support to Chinese IT industries, especially semiconductors. In other words, depriving Chinese companies the opportunities for more trade and IT development.

The US is pushing for a so-called “tech war” against China to stick to tech hegemony. It will likely cost both countries more than $3.5 trillion; according to Deutsche Bank. Already the current US administration has proposed a 30 percent increase in expenditure for its IT sector along with other areas of science and technology.

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However, according to Foreign Affairs, China launches a five-year plan to invest $1.4 trillion for building new IT infrastructure. In addition, China has also established in 2019 a $29 billion fund for its semiconductor industry. IT industries in both countries are competing to recruit the best talent.

China is very tactical and already has started talks with allies to gain support in its initiative for global cybersecurity. The Chinese foreign minister has reviewed the situation at a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Group 20 nations and to court their support. It is better for the world for form a coalition to fight for it.

In desperation, America could only throw obstacles in its way, only to expedite China’s steady climb to be the world’s biggest economy. But all indications show that it’s just a matter of time for China to come up with its inexorable march to the top.

The author is a political analyst based in Bonn, Germany.