China established the internet in 1994 and has seen 20-30% annual growth in users. However, the government aims to control information flow and maintain cultural boundaries. It employs 37,000 censors and uses the Great Firewall to block sites and software. Laws established in 2000 emphasize preserving communist culture and economic growth by criminalizing actions like spreading rumors to overthrow the state or damage unity. Given trade issues raised by censorship, the Asia Foundation is recommended to focus on education, industry/trade relations, and facilitating accurate information flow regarding China's internet policies.

1. China’s Internet Policy: Policy Outreach
Recommendations for the Asia Foundation
Monica Chan
June 24, 2013

2. Background
• Internet established in China in 1994
• Annual increase of 20-30% of internet users
each year
• Internet used as a vital tool for participation in
the global market

3. Background
• Development of internet in China has raised concerns in
the U.S. due to issues related to human rights, cyber
security, and trade/investment.
• Chinese government has been accused of barring and
manipulating the flow of information to Chinese citizens.
• Chinese government’s aim to control and maintain
cultural boundaries.

4. The Facts
• 37,000 employed workers policing the internet
• Sites blocked by China’s Great Firewall
• Chinese government has implemented counter censorship
software that is used to control internet information flow
that is allowed into the country

5. The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National
People’s Congress on Maintaining Internet Security
• Established in December 2000 by the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress
• Emphasizes that it is the role of the state to safeguard
internet operations by preserving Chinese communist
culture as well as foster economic growth.

6. Provisions
• Crimes against the state:
• Invading computer systems that have confidential
information about state affairs, state defense
• Causing and spreading computer viruses and creating
destructive programs that attack other computer
communications systems causing damage to system wide
networks
• Spreading information, rumors, and slander over the
internet for the purpose of overthrowing the state
government, “overthrowing the socialist system,” or
breaking up/destroying the country’s unity

7. Provisions
• Crimes against the state:
• Stealing and/or leaking classified government and
military information via the internet.
• Using the internet to ruin racial and ethnic unity as well
as ignite racial or ethnic hatred.
• Using the internet to organize cults or contacting cults to
“destroy racial and ethnic unity”

8. Cultural Model
• Nationalist-Cultural Model
• Chinese government’s role to create and intervene
in the state’s cultural identity
• State’s role to determine what types of online
information is deemed as destructive and “harmful
to the public”

9. Implications for
international Relations
• China has been WTO member since December 2001
• China’s internet censorship policies has instigated
criticisms and pressures from companies such as Google.
• Google claims that China’s internet censorship policies
create trade barriers and human rights problems.

10. Recommendations for the
Asia Foundation
• The Asia Foundation’s China chapter is
currently looking to focus their mission on
economic and technological governance in
China. They should consider focusing this
their internet policy program on the
following:

11. Recommendations for the
Asia Foundation
• Education/Outreach – Implement programs that spread
awareness of China’s current media policy
• Industry and Trade – serve as a platform for
communicating with other countries’ reservations on
china’s internet policy
• Flow of Accurate Information – develop a series of
dialogues and forums for
corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations
that have bilateral relationships with China