On 12th August 2022, the Workshop on International Rule of Law in Cyberspace, which was organized by the Research Institute for Cyberspace Governance, Law School and International Law Institute of Wuhan University was successfully held online. With the theme of Towards International Rule of Law in Cyberspace: Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace, the workshop invited 15 experts and scholars from relevant international organizations and well-known academic institutions around the world to discuss frontier issues relating to international rule of law in cyberspace.
In the workshop, participants from AALCO, Russia National Research University Higher School of Economics, University of Sheffield, University of Glasgow, University of Essex, Stockholm University, University of Naples Federico II, Law School of Tanzania, University of Hong Kong, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Nanjing University, Xiamen University and Wuhan University had an in-depth discussion on the legal regulation of cybercrime and cyber terrorism, the legitimacy crisis of international law-making in cyberspace, the principle of sovereignty, the principle of non-intervention, due diligence, public cyber attribution, unilateral cyber sanctions, etc. The participants realized and advocated that all States should strengthen cooperation, bridge differences, and broaden consensus so as to promote the sound international governance of cyberspace.
During the discussion, Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary General of AALCO made a keynote speech on International Law in Cyberspace: Contributions of AALCO. He focused on introducing the working procedures and achievements of AALCO which has already contributed to the international rule-making process of cyberspace. By issuing reports, AALCO hopes countries can fully use them and govern cyberspace more effectively.
Professor Guo Feng, Dean of Wuhan University Law School gave an opening address, in which he stressed the great importance of academic exchanges to ultimately promote the reform of the global governance system of cyberspace.
In his closing remarks, Professor Zhixiong Huang, Vice Dean of the Law School and Director of Research Institute for Cyberspace Governance of Wuhan University pointed out that the development of international rule of law in cyberspace has come to a critical moment. Although there are still certain gaps between academia and governments on various issues involved in this workshop, good basis for reaching meaningful consensus also exists. All parties of the international community should promote the international rule of law in cyberspace through communication and cooperation and seek common ground in good faith so as to work together to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
