In July 2018, the Tongji Base for Research on International Governance of Cyberspace under the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) & the Ministry of Education (MOE) (hereinafter referred to as “the Base”) was established upon approval (there are only 10 bases of its kind in the country). The Base is headed by Professor Men Honghua, Dean of School of Political Science & International Relations and President of the Institute for China & World Studies, Tongji University.

1. Positioning and Foundation

The Base is specialized in strategic studies, with the support of the National Engineering Laboratory for Cyber Incidents Early Warning and Prevention & Control Technology of Tongji University, the Big Data & Network Security Research Center of Tongji University, and several network information companies including QI-ANXIN Technology Group. It focuses on cyber security strategies, cyberspace cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and many other fields, with a view to developing a national interdisciplinary platform that integrates teaching, research and consultation.

We at the Base have established a Research Center for International Governance of Cyberspace. Backed by the Tongji Institute for China & World Studies, the Base has integrated relevant teaching and research resources of the university to own three teaching experiment platforms, i.e. the Computer and Information Technology Teaching Experiment Center, the National Engineering Laboratory for Cyber Incidents Early Warning and Prevention & Control Technology, and the Platform Software Laboratory, and five scientific research platforms, i.e. the Institute for China & World Studies, the China Center for Contemporary World Studies (CCCWS), the Information Security Technology Research Center, the Big Data & Network Security Research Center, and the National Institute of Innovation and Development. It is committed to building a think tank platform, a talent cultivation system, a discipline matrix, a research team, and an international exchange network with the international strategy for cyberspace as the core.

2. Service-Oriented Research

The research priorities of the Base include: (1) establishing a theoretical system for research on China's cyber sovereignty and security; (2) developing a schedule and roadmap for the reform of global cyberspace governance system; (3) proposing an approach to the implementation of China-led rules for global cyberspace governance; (4) bringing up the construction method and strategic plan for an international order in cyberspace; and (5) putting forward strategic choices and policy options for cyberspace governance in BRI countries. The main contents of teaching & talent cultivation at the Base include: (1) developing a discipline system of international strategy for cyberspace; (2) developing a curriculum system of international strategy for cyberspace; (3) developing a textbook system oriented by disciplinary integration; (4) developing a practical talent training system; and (5) developing an international research system in BRI countries.

The Base has undertaken a number of major projects commissioned by the CAC, including “Study of International Strategy and Security in Cyberspace” and “Study of Cyberspace Development and Cooperation under the BRI”, actively held academic seminars such as “Comparison of National Governance in Cyberspace”, consecutively participated in the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit upon invitation, and regularly organized social training and campus lectures on cyber security.

3. Policy-Oriented Contribution

Through cooperation with the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, the CCCWS, Baidu Group, and 360 Enterprise Security Group, the Base is committed to becoming an important research institution for international governance of cyberspace in the next five years, and an open research platform of network led by the government, undertaken by universities, joined by enterprises, and participated by social organizations. It has been building high-end and internationally renowned think tanks, and developing a think-tank alliance of international strategy in cyberspace, in a bid to contribute to the cyberspace governance of the country as a strategic adviser.

The Base regularly submits work newsletters to the CAC. It has submitted contributions solicited by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) with preset topics such as New Cyber Security System and Network Approach to COVID-19 Prevention and Control, receiving positive comments from the central leaders. It has also cooperated with the Party Committee of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission to investigate Ctrip, FreshHema, SMIC and other internet firms in Shanghai, with its internal references recognized and praised by the Shanghai Municipal Government.

4. Talent Cultivation

The Base has three first-level doctoral programs in political science, management science and engineering, and computer science and technology. It has set up multiple research directions related to cyberspace governance such as international strategy and global governance, information management, and information security, and built up a cultivation system that integrates undergraduate programs with a wide horizon, master-doctoral programs, and doctoral interdisciplinary studies. It also conducts joint research and training with the Ministry of Public Security, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Baidu Group, and 360 Enterprise Security Group, etc.

Relying on interdisciplinary construction to develop courses such as China's International Strategy and Network Defense and Security Evaluation, the Base has been actively exploring new ways of cultivating students in humanities and social sciences, with many graduate students writing dissertations on cyber security. Based on a sound talent cultivation system underpinned by an interdisciplinary approach, it has delivered a meaningful number of professional elites for the country and the society.

Director: Professor Men Honghua

Executive Deputy Director: Professor Tan Chengxiang

Deputy Directors: Professor Li Shu, Professor Shao Chunxia, and Professor Zhong Zhenming

Office Administrator: Professor Zhong Zhenming (concurrent post)