The invention of Internet, like the invention of steam engine, triggered an industrial revolution that has transformed the world. With billions of hits a day, this new mass media is far and away more efficient, economical and direct than the old media.

The Internet was comparatively slow to develop in China, but since the turn of the century it has expanded at an astonishing pace. In June 2008, China became the leading Internet country in terms of users, with its netizens topping 253 million. By the end of 2009, that number had grown to 338 million – one in four of the population. As more and more people experience the convenience of the Internet, it is becoming an inseparable part of daily life.

The Internet has become an important conduit of information from the public to the Party. Unlike traditional media with its editors and gatekeepers, the Internet puts the public on a level footing with the Party leaders who have to learn new skills to deal with a medium that makes it much easier for the public to check on their activities.

The new-found power of netizens has penetrated every level of society. But there remain threats to online security. Pornography, hacking, computer viruses, fraud and phishing scams threaten unwary surfers.

Just as in the rest of the world, China manages its Internet in line with laws and regulations. It welcomes multinational Internet companies and has encouraged the development of the Internet, but the government will resolutely oppose the spreading of pornography or ill-intentioned information that harms social stability.

The government needs to make national security, information security and cultural security its strategic priorities when entering into cooperation deals with overseas Internet companies. China can create a clean environment on the Web, but only if it is spun in its own way.

(The article was first published in Chinese translated by Wu Jin.)

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