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.
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.
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.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
