In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed a new initiative, known as the Global Energy Interconnection (GEI), that could help solve humanity's pressing energy and climate dilemmas through the development of a global power grid. The GEI would connect remote renewable sources of energy to global consumption centers using ultra-high-voltage power transmission lines spanning continents and smart technologies. This way, peak demand for electricity in the evening in eastern China, for example, could be met using solar power at noon in central Asia, matching supply and demand across countries and continents more efficiently. On paper, the proposal presents many benefits. However, concerns about China's intentions and the political, security, and economic implications of a China-led GEI also exist. The GEI is reminiscent of China's similar controversial initiatives to connect with the rest of the world in such sectors as telecommunications, port infrastructure, and rail. In this report, RAND researchers set out to advance knowledge on the GEI and to demystify the potential global security implications associated with this important but poorly understood initiative.

Democratising access to digital spaces, technologies and services has significantly increased the number of actors that are able to leverage technological advances for a widening range of purposes. As a result, technological innovation has provided significant opportunities for global governance through democratising access to knowledge and information, as well as enabling new linkages between different actors and communities worldwide. Increasing connectivity has, for example, provided new opportunities for democratic participation and the exercising of freedom of opinion and expression through online platforms, as well as exchange of best practices among civil society organisations and others working to foster human rights in a digital age.

Democratising access to digital spaces, technologies and services has significantly increased the number of actors that are able to leverage technological advances for a widening range of purposes. As a result, technological innovation has provided significant opportunities for global governance through democratising access to knowledge and information, as well as enabling new linkages between different actors and communities worldwide. Increasing connectivity has, for example, provided new opportunities for democratic participation and the exercising of freedom of opinion and expression through online platforms, as well as exchange of best practices among civil society organisations and others working to foster human rights in a digital age.