Report on the Third Meeting of the Sino-European Expert Working Group on the Application of International Law in Cyberspace

The Third Meeting of the Sino-European Expert Working Group on the Application of International Law in Cyberspace (EWG-IL) took place on 14-15 September 2023 
in Xiamen, China. This collaborative effort has been jointly implemented by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Xiamen University, the 
EU Cyber Direct project of the European Union Institute for Security Studies and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. The purpose of this EWG is to provide a 
platform for legal experts from Europe and China to explore the application of international law in cyberspace, address related legal issues from a theoretical 
perspective, and offer practical policy guidance.

The EWG-IL typically convenes once a year. It brings together a select group of experts in international law, while also welcoming the active participation of government and non-government representatives from both China and European countries. The composition of the EWG-IL varies to best reflect the specific subject matter to be discussed and expertise required for each meeting. Key points from the meetings are documented by facilitators and conveyed to subsequent consultations of the Sino-European Cybersecurity Dialogue. They are presented as a joint public report summarising areas of agreement and divergence among participants. Additionally, the process provides the opportunity to set up smaller research groups to discuss specific legal issues and deliver joint research outcomes during upcoming meetings.