China takes centre stage in global internet debate

He also expressed enthusiasm about Chinese efforts in cyber development and big data strategies as it prepares to launch an “Internet Plus” action plan over the next half a decade amid its promotion of the Internet’s integration with economic and social progress. “No country should pursue cyber hegemony, interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or engage in, connive at or support cyber activities that undermine other countries’ national security”, Xi said at the government-organised conference in Wuzhen of east China’s Zhejiang Province.

Present governance rules hardly reflected the interests of most countries, Xi said as he slammed “double standards” in cyberspace management. Xi described the web as rife with threats to global society, including “the shadow of terrorism”, and crimes, including identity theft, drug dealing, money laundering and gambling. Xi’s government operates extensive Internet monitoring and censorship and has tightened controls since he came to power in 2013.

He highlighted the abuse of internet and cyberspace and said the increase in incidents related to malicious use of ICTs in cyberspace was posing risks to users from individuals to states, adding, the growing menace had serious implications for worldwide peace and security. “The future of cyberspace should be in the hands of all countries”, he said.

“I hope the 2nd World Internet Conference could promote the “Internet Plus” programme, and strengthen the status and influence of China in the global Internet industry”.

Internet issues have gained prominence under Mr Xi’s rule since late 2012, with him setting up and chairing a new task force a year ago within the Communist Party on cyber security and informatisation issues.

Chinese state media also reported that more than 2,000 participants from over 120 territories were expected at the conference, including leaders from tech giants Apple, Microsoft, and Nokia.

The policy is one facet of Beijing’s strict limits on freedom of expression.

The three-day conference in the small eastern town of Wuzhen was attended by a handful of high-profile figures from nations that have been criticised for their records on freedom of speech, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev.

They were also concerned that organisers might repeat last year’s attempt to get participants to sign on to a declaration embodying China’s vision. The President, who is accompanied by First Lady Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon, was received at the Hangzhou airport by Vice Governor of Zhejiang province Lian Lining, senior officials of government of China and Pakistan Embassy. It was organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Cabinet agency that enforces Internet controls.

With around 670 million users and over 4.13 million websites in China, the internet and economic and social development had become intrinsically linked, Xi said.