China announces cybersecurity strategy

BEIJING -- China's top Internet regulator released a cyberspace security strategy on Tuesday, advocating peace, security, openness, cooperation and order.

The government will guarantee cyberspace sovereignty and national security, protect information infrastructure and act against cyber terror and crimes, according to the 15-page strategy released by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Rules and their imposition will be improved and international cooperation expanded.

SOVEREIGNTY

Cyberspace is a new frontier as important as any other. "Cyberspace sovereignty is an important part of state sovereignty," the strategy reads.

All countries should be respected in their Internet development and management, playing equal parts in a cyberspace governance without hegemony or double standards.

China will use whatever means necessary -- scientific, technological, legal, diplomatic or military -- to ensure cyberspace sovereignty. No attempt to use the Internet to undermine or overturn China's national regime or sabotage sovereignty will be tolerated.

OPEN MARKET

China is home to the world's largest online population. About 700 million people in China use the Internet to study, make purchases, work and access public services.

In this context, protecting critical information infrastructure and important data is crucial. Products, services and companies used by government institutions will be subject to security checks and vetting.

Service producers and other organizations will not be allowed to take advantage of privileged information or technology to compete unfairly or harm users' interests.

"This does not mean that we will refuse foreign products or services," said Zhao Zeliang, director of the CAC cybersecurity coordination bureau.

"Our requirements of security and controllability are not meant to raise barriers to foreign enterprises," he told a press conference at the release of the strategy.

"The market will be open and transparent."

INT'L COOPERATION

China will participate in dialogues and exchanges in cybersecurity; help establish international norms and anti-terror pacts; and improve judicial collaboration. International cooperation will be enshrined in policy, law, technology, standards, emergency response and security infrastructure.

Every assistance will be extended to developing countries as they build information infrastructure.

Lu Jianwen, in charge of cybersecurity at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said priority will be given to building Africa's information highway and cooperation in communication technology.

China will be pleased to provide training in developing countries, he said.