BEIJING: China released a white paper on Monday introducing its vision of internet development and governance in the new era, sharing its achievements in promoting the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace and outlining the prospects for international cooperation.
Titled “Jointly Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” the white paper was released by the State Council Information Office.
Totaling around 24,000 Chinese characters, the white paper consists of a preface, four chapters and a conclusion.
Jointed efforts vital in building a community with a shared future in cyberspace
President Xi Jinping urged all countries to jointly build a community of shared future in cyberspace when addressing the opening ceremony of the second World Internet Conference (WIC) in the river town of Wuzhen, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on December 16, 2015.
Nowadays, the governance of cyberspace is facing ever more prominent problems with the rapid development of the internet.
Besides problems such as unbalanced development and unsound regulation, the white paper warned about the threat of cyber-hegemonism, where certain countries use internet and information technology to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs and engage in large-scale cyber surveillance.
Noting the increasingly complex cybersecurity situation, the white paper called it the responsibility of all of humanity to develop, use and manage the internet well, and make it more beneficial to mankind.
With the world’s largest number of internet users, China “understands the underlying trends of the information age; upholds a people-centered approach; and supports global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits,” said the paper.
“We strive to realize the goals of innovation-driven development, security, order, equality, respect, openness, and shared interests in cyberspace, so that the cyberspace will be a community that benefits all of humanity,” the white paper said.
In doing so, basic principles including respecting cyber sovereignty, safeguarding peace and security, promoting openness and cooperation, and maintaining good order should be adhered to, noted the white paper.
The logo of digital RMB and its mascot “Yuanyuan” are seen at the booth of the People’s Bank of China Digital Currency Research Institute at the China International Fair for Trade in Services, Beijing, China, September 4, 2022. /CFP
Internet development and management in China
China is set to build up its strength in cyberspace and digital technologies, said the white paper, noting that progress has been made in boosting the digital economy, building a clean and sound online environment, and guarding against risks to cyberspace security.
By 2021, the value of China’s digital economy had reached 45.5 trillion yuan ($6.3 trillion), accounting for 39.8 percent of its GDP, said the white paper.
Besides being a home to 1.05 billion internet users, China also hosts the world’s largest 5G network and has become one of the global leaders in 5G standards and technology, with 1.85 million 5G cell towers and 455 million 5G cell phone subscribers, according to the white paper.
Guided by the people-first development philosophy, China has promoted internet application in various economic and social sectors including education, medical services, poverty alleviation, and other public services.
For example, 98 percent of all poverty-stricken villages had access to optical services by the end of 2020 and more than 12 million people in poverty had benefited from a lower internet access fee. Online retail sales in rural areas amounted to 2.05 trillion yuan in 2021, up 11.3 percent year-on-year.
To develop a sound digital industry and orderly online environment, the country has formulated, enforced and revised relevant laws and regulations in recent years.
Entering into force in 2017, the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China banned online service providers from collecting and selling users’ personal information. And in August 2021, China’s top legislature voted to adopt a new law on personal information protection, which stipulates that individual consent should be obtained when processing sensitive personal information such as biometrics, medical and health, financial accounts and whereabouts.
A girl holds her smartphone as she studies online at Riruta suburb in Nairobi, Kenya, November 8, 2018. /CFP
Cooperation enhanced in cyberspace
China has continued to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in cyberspace, said the white paper.
It has engaged in active cross-border collaboration in terms of the digital economy, cyberspace security, and reform and development of global cyberspace governance to promote inclusive development of the internet, said the paper, noting that all these efforts contribute to building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
For example, China has been an active participant in digital economy cooperation under the G20 framework. Thanks to China’s efforts, the 11th G20 Summit held in China listed “the digital economy” as a major item in the G20 Blueprint for Innovative Growth and adopted the G20 Digital Economy Development and Cooperation Initiative, the first digital economy policy paper signed by state leaders.
While using the internet to eliminate its own poverty, China has used technology to help developing countries improve broadband access in the poorest areas and areas with low population density.
It has worked to provide universal and affordable internet access in the least developed countries, in order to eliminate poverty caused by lack of network facilities, according to the white paper.
For example, China has provided financing support for IT projects in African countries, modernized their IT services, and helped alleviate local poverty.
China has actively developed digital public products and expanded cooperation in digital public services. Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, pandemic forecasting platforms and robocalls developed in China have helped control and mitigation in other countries, said the white paper.
