China Plans for Stronger Internet Security Against ‘Hostile Forces’

A statement given by a Chinese official who is assign in Internet regulation said that Beijing should strengthen its Internet security especially that “overseas hostile forces” are manipulating the Internet to “attack, slander and spread rumors.”

Deputy director of China National internet Information Office, Wang Xiujun said that political security is fundamental, reported The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Wang’s statement corresponds to the wide clampdown on online freedom of expression that worsened since President Xi Jinping came to power last year. The loss of online freedom received many criticism form right-advocates at home and abroad.

“Overseas hostile forces are using the Internet as main channel to penetrate and destroy us,” Wang said.

"Using the name of 'Internet freedom' to repeatedly attack, slander and spread rumors in an effort to undermine our country's stability and national security. The struggle for ideological penetration would decide to a great extent the future of our party and country,” Wang added.

Last February, Xi took control of the Internet security with his goal to make China into a “cyber power.” For him, public opinion online includes a long-term responsibility and Internet should contribute in spreading discipline.

China’s government tightly controls media. Users do not have access to information without special software to circumvent restrictions. Censorship is everywhere in China.

Wang said that China wants to strengthen its security of networks and information systems because of the intrusions happening in cyberspace by foreign governments. (Data based on People’s Daily)

He did not drop any responsible country but as we all know, China-U.S ties have been accusing one another of spying.

In March, China planned to strengthen its internet security after New York Times and Der Spiegel reported the leakage of documents, Defense Ministry said.

With the help of National Security Agency, they accessed servers from China’s Huawei Technologies to get sensitive data and to monitor executives’ communications.