Policy project: The Future of the Internet: How might we need to adapt to a bifurcating cyberspace?

China's approach to govern and shape the internet revolves around the idea of establishing state-sovereignty and, as such, poses a challenge to the existing governance models of multilateralism.

So far, Europe has recognized China's internet merely as a control apparatus of data but  Beijing's vision goes much beyond that.

The project aims to analyze the effect of diverging internet hardware systems on European stakeholders, from social media users to ICT companies and governments, and inquire whether the necessary response mechanisms are in place.

Kai von Carnap's research focus is on ICT history and development in China. Kai studied sinology and economics in Berlin and Heidelberg and focused on blockchain technology and the prospects of a digital RMB during his BA and on the impact of the Internet on subjective well-being during his MA. He works in the new Science Technology and Innovation Policy team of MERICS, which he joined in 2018. His recent publications were on China's blockchain adaptation for cybersecurity gains, the early use of digital technologies to combat Covid, China's regulatory "crack-down" amidst a wider paradigm shift under president Xi towards a "New China", and China's digital currency project.

(Stand: Juli 2022)