International Law of Critical Internet Infrastructure: A Comparative Analysis of Europe and China
Date: December 13, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CET Lodz/Brussels time (09:00 AM - 11:00 AM UTC)
Location: Online*
Co-hosted by Lodz Cyber Hub at the University of Lodz Law School, an ICANN EURALO ALS and the United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS).
This workshop aims to examine regional approaches to the governance of Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII), focusing on a comparative analysis of the legal frameworks adopted in Europe and China. As global leaders in technology and Internet governance, both regions face unique challenges and opportunities related to the protection and management of CII, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and undersea cables. This comparative analysis will provide insights into the effectiveness and adaptability of various governance models within the framework of international law.
During the session, the following topics will be discussed:
1. Definition of Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII): Explanation of the concept and its significance in European and Chinese contexts.
2. Analysis of Legal Frameworks for CII in Europe and China.
3. Regional Cooperation: Discussion of the role of regional cooperation in enhancing the security and resilience of CII, with a focus on existing international agreements, treaties, and platforms for collaboration.
4. Q&A Session: Providing participants with opportunities to actively engage with panelists, addressing their questions and reflections on the topics discussed.
Agenda
- 10:00 – 10:10: Welcome and Introduction
- Dr. Joanna KULESZA, Assistant Professor at University of Lodz Law School, Lodz Cyber Hub Executive Director.
- 10:10 – 10:30: Panel Discussion: International Law and the Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites as Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII)
- Dr. Berna Akçali GUR, Lecturer in Space Law at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL); Associate Research Fellow, United Nations University - CRIS (UNU-CRIS):
The Role of International Law in Governing Low Earth Orbit Satellites – A European Perspective.
- Dr. LENG Xinyu, Associate Professor, China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL):
Comparative Legal Frameworks for Governing Low Earth Orbit Satellites in China: Challenges and Best Practices.
- 10:30 – 10:50: Panel Discussion: Governance of Subsea Infrastructure and Cross-Border Data Access – The Snowden Effect, Cybersecurity, and Jurisdictional Limits
- Prof. PEI Wei, Professor, Beihang University (BUAA):
Internet Infrastructure, Database Access, and Jurisdictional Boundaries in Chinese CII Governance.
- Dr. Anachiara ROTONDO, Junior Assistant Professor, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II (UniNa):
Protection of Undersea Cables: Lights and Shadows of the International Legal Regime.
- 10:50 – 11:10: Panel Discussion: Application of International Law to Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII) – Recommendations and Challenges
- Prof. Paolo BARGIACCHI, Full Professor of International Law, Department of Economic and Legal Sciences, Kore University of Enna (UniKore):
The EU Renewed Approach for Improving CII governance.
- Dr. ZHU Lixin, Researcher and Director of the Institute of Cybersecurity Rule of Law, Institute of Technology and Education Development, Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU):
The Role of International Law in Chinese Governance of Critical Internet Resources: Legal Solutions and Responses to Technological Challenges.
11:10 – 11:50: Q&A Session
11:50 – 12:00: Closing Remarks
The workshop was designed for practitioners and scholars of international law and cybersecurity, as well as industry representatives interested in regional governance of Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII) and its implications for international law.
Participants gained current, comprehensive knowledge of regional approaches to governing Critical Internet Infrastructure in Europe and China. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the development of effective mechanisms for critical infrastructure management in the international context.
This workshop was conducted in collaboration with UNU-CRIS. It is also a part of the Internet Society Foundation project dedicated to the application of international law to Low Earth Orbit satellites. It builds upon the work of the Sino-European Expert Working Group on the Application of International Law in Cyberspace, coordinated by Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and Xiamen University Law School (UniXiamen), but is organized as a distinct event, with speakers presenting their views independently of any institution.