MIRRI Finds Talks with Chinese Delegation Standard, PS Heaps Criticism

Bratislava, 24 September (TASR) – Digital policies and the challenges brought by emerging technologies were the fulcrum of talks between representatives of Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) and Chinese officials, and these working-level talks had been pre-announced, MIRRI underlined on Wednesday. This reaction came in response to criticism from the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, which claimed the meeting had not been publicly disclosed. The Chinese delegation was reportedly led by Zhuang Rongwen, head of China's Cyberspace Administration — described by Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka as the chief architect of the Chinese regime’s digital censorship. „It is natural that Slovakia, as an EU member state, engages in dialogue even with partners with whom we hold differing views. Ignoring them is not a solution — on the contrary, dialogue enables us to defend our principles and gain first-hand information,” the ministry stated, stressing its firm rejection of censorship and commitment to freedom of speech and democracy, which it called the foundation of European digital policy. Simecka, however, raised concerns in the context of statements made by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has suggested Slovakia should learn from China’s model of state governance and stability. „The visit at such a high level raises serious questions. Robert Fico openly describes the Chinese regime and one-party rule as a model. So we must ask why the top Chinese censor, the head of China’s cyberspace authority, was attending an unannounced meeting at MIRRI,” Simecka said on Wednesday. MIRRI countered that it is shortsighted to create enemies where there are none and to see conspiracy in standard diplomatic practice. „Slovakia doesn’t need to agree with everything to engage in dialogue — quite the opposite. Discussion with ideological opponents allows us to promote our positions more confidently,” the ministry noted. The ministry also called on Progressive Slovakia to engage in a constructive debate on how Slovakia should respond to technological challenges. One example, according to MIRRI, is its upcoming legislative package, including a law on artificial intelligence. „No one is saying we shouldn’t develop trade or other cooperation with China, but in this case we are dealing with an official responsible for suppressing freedom of expression in the digital space. I don’t think these are the kinds of experiences Slovakia needs. After all, it was Smer that once called for freedom of speech the loudest. Now the same people are learning from China how to censor the internet,” Simecka warned. mf