Only rule of law can block loopholes and guarantee order in cyberspace

A graphic shaped in the outline of China, is seen through a magnifying glass on a computer screen showing binary digits in Singapore in this January 2, 2014 file photo illustration. [Photo/Agencies]

A CYBERSECURITY LAW that more clearly defines information infrastructure and lists punitive measures for those attacking China's key information infrastructure has been approved by the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and will come into effect on June 1, 2017. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

Everybody can be the victim of online fraud. According to official reports, cyber crimes accounted for almost one-third of all the criminal cases in China.

In contrast to the rampant cyber crimes there has been the lack of a law to regulate online activities. That has not only made it difficult to solve disputes and punish wrongdoers, it has also posed a challenge to the existing laws.

It is wishful thinking to expect the online world to run smoothly without proper laws. Only under the rule of law can cyberspace be an orderly environment.

As well as protecting individuals, cybersecurity is also important for the nation as a whole, as it is one of the pillars supporting the economy and society. The fast progress in the development of information technology has brought profound changes to human society, and cybersecurity is an issue of national security. China must strengthen its cybersecurity and improve its governance of both the virtual and the real world.

China faces the pressing task of enhancing cybersecurity. Currently it has the largest number of neitizens as well as a prospering IT industry, but there are many loopholes in its cybersecurity, leading to frequent leakage of personal information and online fraud.

Rule of law is the only way to address these problems. Only through the law can the nation define the rights and responsibilities, better protect the legal use of the internet and more effectively punish illegal online activity.

That's why the newly passed Cybersecurity Law is important. By filling in the blanks it will improve the governance of cyberspace.