Internet – Regulation vs. freedom
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The Chinese internet industry has developed rapidly bringing about huge profits and has also become a battlefield for national interests of different countries.
By the end of 2009, Chinese internet users reached 384 million, 28.9 percent more than that of 2008. Its proportion of the whole population increased to 28.9 percent from 22.6 percent. According to an IResearch report, the economic aggregate of the Chinese internet industry was likely to hit 74.3 billion yuan in 2009, that's why both domestic and foreign companies want to enter the industry and share a piece.
The internet has been seen in the West as the quintessential expression of the free exchange of ideas and information. As internet technology improves, the internet in China is being converted into a more vivid way of discourse expression. It can be seen from two aspects.
The first of these aspects is government level. Chinese President Hu Jintao stated at the World Media Summit that the world's media should encourage all countries to respect each other and consult on an equal footing politically. Also, to co-operate economically, to learn from each other, to increase mutual trust and cooperation in maintaining security, and to help each other for advancement in environmental protection, to create a better future for mankind.
The second aspect is grassroots level which involves sticking to the opening and cooperation strategy. The Chinese internet industry has developed a new interactive platform for cultural and political exchanges. Through the internet, people can express their opinions efficiently, and put forward suggestions for governance, thus promoting the upgrading of government's public management and service.
