Confronting China's cyberwarfare capabilities: A "weapon of the weak" or a force multiplier?

Abstract

The military uses of Cyberspace and their implications for international politics are widely debated among scholars. A central issue in this debate is whether cyberweapons favour weak or strong actors. While many consider the new technology as a "weapon of the weak," others are convinced that it is in fact the opposite-a force multiplier, consolidating the existing hierarchy of power. These two opposing views have equally opposing implications when it comes to US-China relations and the future of the US-led international order. While the mainstream discourse tends to see China as a major beneficiary of cyber, others argue that Chinese cyberthreats to the US are largely overestimated, as the new technology increases China's own vulnerability to US attacks. The aim of this paper is to investigate Chinese and US perceptions of cyberwarfare, the connections between the two, and their implications for the future of the US-led international order. Based on the analysis of the official discourse in the two countries, the paper shows that cyberspace remains a highly ambivalent domain, presenting both China and the United States with a mix of challenges and opportunities.