Cyber Security Between The United States Of America And The People’s Republic Of China: Establishing Positive Norms In Cyberspace

Cyber security issues have been driving a rift between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. This thesis aims to investigate the likelihood of establishing positive cyberspace norms between the two powers, wherein they exercise restraint in state-sponsored cyber spying and cooperate on fighting cyber crime. To do so, it examines other models of cooperation in similar circumstances. It also compares the incentives and obstacles of each side to establishing such a norm. To advance that analysis, the paper then examines the potential consequences of not establishing better cyberspace norms. By evaluating these different aspects, this paper investigates how to salvage Sino-American cyber relations.