US-China JCCT Outcomes Include Key ICT Policy Priorities

The U.S. Government posted online the fact sheetfrom the 26th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, which took place November 21-23 in Guangzhou.

 

The fact sheet includes a number of positive outcomes for key ICT policy priorities, including:
  • Anti-Monopoly Law
  • Integrated Circuit Industry Development Plans
  • Standards and Intellectual Property
  • Trade Secrets
  • ICT Security Policy
Outcomes on ICT Security Policy include commitments to pro-competitive and non-discriminatory policies, as well as increased transparency and clarity. 
 
The fact sheet states that the U.S. and China "commit that information and communication technology information security measures generally applicable to the commercial sector are not to unnecessarily limit or prevent commercial sales opportunities for foreign suppliers of ICT products, services, or technologies and will not impose nationality-based conditions and restrictions on the purchase, sale and use of ICT by commercial enterprises unnecessarily."

 

The fact sheet also provides clarifications on a number of key areas:
  • banking sector secure and controllable ICT guidelines - currently suspended with 30-day comment period on any subsequent revision
  • insurance sector ICT regulations - notification to WTO TBT Committee
  • commercial encryption regulations - clarification of "core function" principle
The fact sheet also notes commitments to strengthen exchange and dialogue on Multi-level Protection Scheme (MLPS) information security testing requirements.