BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need for a “solid” security barrier around China’s internet, supervised by the ruling Communist Party, to safeguard online data and information. His remarks were delivered during a two-day cybersecurity meeting in Beijing that concluded on Saturday.
President Xi emphasized the importance of managing and operating the Internet in accordance with the law, highlighting the Party’s role in overseeing Internet management and ensuring it benefits the people, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Under President Xi’s leadership, security has become a top priority, encompassing various aspects such as politics, the economy, the environment, and cyberspace. In recent years, China has enacted laws and regulations to strengthen cybersecurity measures and protect national security.
China’s National Security Law
In 2015, China implemented a national security law that extended to its cyberspace. Subsequently, a law was passed in 2016 that included requirements for security reviews and the storage of data on servers within China. In 2021, regulations were introduced concerning critical information infrastructure. This year, anti-espionage legislation was updated to prohibit the transfer of information related to national security and broaden the definition of spying.
However, complying with China’s complex network of rules and laws surrounding online data and information comes with risks for companies. Instances such as police visits to the offices of Bain & Co, where computers and phones were reportedly seized, and regulatory investigations into companies like Wind Information Co and Didi Global underscore the potential challenges faced by businesses navigating China’s cybersecurity landscape.
