Xi sets path for cyberspace to take

Informatization is at critical juncture, so ISPs should promote proper growth

President Xi Jinping called for “keenly” grasping the historic opportunity for informatization development in a bid to build the country’s strength in cyberspace.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission and head of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, made the instruction at a national conference on the work of cybersecurity and informatization held Friday and Saturday.

Premier Li Keqiang, deputy head of the commission, presided over the meeting, attended by other leaders, including Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng. Wang Huning, also deputy head of the commission, made a concluding speech at the conference.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has achieved historic progress in the development of cybersecurity and informatization, formed a model of cyberspace governance with Chinese characteristics, and developed a strategic thought to advance the country’s strength in this regard, Xi said.

Xi urged improving the governance capacity in cyberspace and developing a governing network led by the Party.

Internet media should spread positive information, uphold the correct political direction and guide public opinion and values in the right direction.

Internet service providers should be responsible for preventing cyberspace from degrading into a platform full of harmful, false and provocative information.

Efforts should be made to enhance self-discipline of the internet industry and mobilize all sectors to take an active part in cyberspace governance.

Xi pointed to cyberspace security, noting that China will enhance security of information infrastructure, develop coordination mechanisms, tools and platforms for cybersecurity; enhance the capacity in responding to cybersecurity emergencies; and support relevant industries.

China will fiercely crack down on criminal offenses, including hacking, telecom fraud and the violation of citizens’ privacy, he said.

Stressing that the country will endeavor to achieve breakthroughs in core information technologies, Xi said more resources will go into research, industrial development and policymaking.

The development of cybersecurity and informatization should contribute to China’s drive to develop a modernized economy and achieve high-quality development. It also should contribute to the new model of industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization, Xi said.

Efforts should be made to develop the digital economy, promote deep integration between the internet, big data, artificial intelligence and real economy, and make the manufacturing, agriculture and service sectors more digitalized, smart and internet-powered, he said.

This people-centered development vision should be upheld throughout cyberspace development, and the people’s well-being should be the starting point, Xi said.

Xi urged enhancing military-civilian integration in the field of cybersecurity and informatization, calling it a key and cutting-edge frontier field with the greatest vitality and potential in the integration drive.

He called for putting in place a comprehensive and highly efficient network of integration.

Xi said it is a general trend and common aspiration of the people to promote the reform of the global cyberspace governance system by sticking to a multilateral approach with multiparty participation from the government, international organizations, internet enterprises, technology communities, nongovernmental institutions and individuals.

Cyberspace governance under the framework of the United Nations should be advanced and non-State entities should play a better role, he said.

He also called for strengthening cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative in internet infrastructure, digital economy and cybersecurity to build a digital silk road of the 21st century.

Xi emphasized the centralized, unified leadership of the Party over cybersecurity and informatization.

While presiding over the conference, Li said Xi has pointed to a clear direction for development in grasping the historic opportunity of the information revolution, enhancing cybersecurity and informatization as well as stepping up the building of an internet power.

In his concluding remarks, Wang Huning called for concrete measures to implement Xi’s speech, which he called a “guiding document” for cybersecurity and informatization in the new era.

XINHUA