President Xi Jinping has called for strong Internet management to ensure cyber security.
Concerted efforts should be made to manage the Internet regarding technology, content, security and crime, he said.
Xi cited the rapid growth of social networking services and instant messaging tools which spread fast with a "large influence, extensive coverage and strong social mobilization capabilities."
Facing these challenges, "the salient problem in front of us is how to strengthen the legal construction concerning Internet and guide public opinion to guarantee order online, state security and social stability," Xi said.
Entrusted by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, explained the commitee's decision on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms to the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which ran through Nov. 9 to 12.
Xi's explanation of the decision was published in full text on Friday.
The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee called for active use, scientific development and lawful management of the Internet to ensure its safety, Xi said, adding that the leadership of Internet administration should be improved.
"Internet and information safety is a new, comprehensive challenge facing us as it concerns state security and social stability," Xi said.
"With rapid development of Internet technologies and applications, the current management system shows obvious shortcomings, such as multi-sectoral management, overlapping functions, unclear rights and liabilities and inefficiency," the president said.
Meanwhile, with Internet's increasingly stronger media nature, online media administration and industry regulation cannot keep up with the rapid change of situation, he said.