Summary Report from Sino-European Legal Workshop on International Law of Critical Internet Infrastructure

On December 13, 2024, a workshop co-hosted by the Lodz Cyber Hub (LCH) at the University of Lodz Law School and the United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) was held to examine regional approaches to the governance of Critical Internet Infrastructure (CII). This event brought together speakers from European and Chinese universities to explore the application of international law to CII, with a particular focus on the rapidly evolving satellite systems in low Earth orbit (LEO) and the pressing challenges of safeguarding subsea infrastructure, such as telecommunications cables. The workshop raised in-depth discussions on the unique legal frameworks adopted in Europe and China, analyzing the challenges and opportunities each region faces in the protection and management of CII. By comparing these governance models, the workshop sought to provide insights into their effectiveness and adaptability within the broader context of international law. Key topics included the definition and significance of II in both European and Chinese contexts, the legal frameworks governing CII in each region, and the role of regional cooperation in enhancing the security and resilience of CII. The event concluded with a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to engage with the panellists, deepening their understanding of the issues at hand. Through these discussions, the workshop contributed valuable perspectives on the evolving governance of critical infrastructure in the context of global technological advancement.

During the session, the following topics were discussed:

• Definition of CII: The concept and its significance in European and Chinese contexts were explained.
• Analysis of Legal Frameworks for CII in Europe and China: The legal frameworks governing CII in both regions were analyzed.
• Regional Cooperation: The role of regional cooperation in enhancing the security and resilience of CII was discussed, with a focus on existing international agreements, treaties, and platforms for collaboration.
• Q&A Session: Participants were given opportunities to actively engage with panelists addressing their questions and reflections on the topics discussed.

This report is based on individual contributions from speakers, summarizing their interventions during the workshop. The workshop was hosted under Chatham House Rules, without recording, to facilitate open discussion.