Most countries agree that data security touches on national security, and increased wrangling over data sovereignty is the new normal. Given the lack of trust between China and the United States, data security will inevitably become a new playing field in bilateral competition.

For China and the United States, virtually all technology eventually touches on cybersecurity. But cooperation, based on trust, can be achieved. Trust is the basis of any cooperative relationship. Without it, concrete initiatives are incredibly difficult to implement.

The international community must engage in serious discussions on whether cyber intelligence collection is necessary. If it is, what should be the boundaries? Any ambiguity or hesitation on the part of major players will lead others to mimic U.S. behavior.

Dialogues, disputes and conflicts management, cooperation, stability and common development are the primary base for bilateral interaction when it comes to cyberspace competition.

Concerns of China and the United States over science and technology can be resolved by the international community. Avoiding the huge cost of decoupling should be a top consideration.

In little more than a generation, the Internet has become a vital substrate for economic, social, and political interactions, and it has unlocked enormous gains. Along with greater interdependence, however, come vulnerability and conflict. Attacks by states and non-state actors have increased, threatening the stability of cyberspace.

Concerns are rising in Washington over the Chinese app TikTok, a video-making social media platform whose popularity has boomed in the U.S. in 2019. With concerns that the app is gathering and sharing the data of American users, TikTok might be yet another casualty in the U.S.’ war on Chinese tech companies.

Earlier this year, American officials acknowledged that US offensive cyber operations had stopped Russian disruption of the 2018 congressional election. Such operations are rarely discussed, but this time there was commentary about a new offensive doctrine of “persistent engagement” with potential adversaries. Will it work?

Data flows and other high-tech issues come to the fore as officials pursue agreement.