A statute to protect country's cyberspace

China's cyber security law came into effect on June 1, just a few weeks after the ransomware virus Wannacry hit computers across the world. Designed to safeguard China's cyberspace sovereignty and security, the law, contrary to what some foreign observers say, is not about limiting the flow of information or hampering international trade, the cyber security watchdog said recently.

The new law, adopted by the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in November, will better shield key information infrastructure and citizens' personal information against hackers and data thieves.

The new law says information and important data in key fields should be especially protected. "Sensitive" infrastructure, from public telecommunications services to the financial sector, must be carefully protected for the sake of citizens, who would suffer unnecessary losses if their personal information is leaked due to technological faults or stolen by data thieves. The 2010 cyberattack on the Natanz uranium enrichment plant in central Iran that disrupted the construction is a case in point.