In 2024, China marks the 30th anniversary of achieving full functional access to the internet. Since 1994, the nation has made significant strides in promoting law-based governance in cyberspace, fostering a secure and dynamic digital environment for its over 1.09 billion internet users.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Wang Song, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), announced that China has promulgated over 150 pieces of legislation in the field of cyberspace governance. These laws aim to facilitate the development of the digital economy, protect users' rights, and create a fair online marketplace.
To boost the digital economy, China has implemented foundational laws such as the E-Commerce Law and expedited legislation in specific areas including livestreaming, online payments, and online recruitment. In May 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) introduced interim regulations to counter unfair competition in cyberspace, as noted by SAMR official Peng Xinmin.
Protecting the rights of minors online has been a priority. According to CAC official Li Changxi, regulations have been established to safeguard the personal information of children and ensure a safe online environment for young users.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to tackle improper or illegal online behaviors, such as the spread of false information and algorithm abuse. Over the past years, the CAC has launched more than 40 special operations, resulting in the removal of over 20 billion pieces of illegal information, Li reported.
Online platforms are being encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities by establishing robust complaint and reporting mechanisms, thereby safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of users.
China's market regulation authorities have strengthened supervision of online advertising, investigating and handling 22,500 cases of false or illegal online advertising in 2023. The SAMR has also set up an online mechanism for resolving consumer disputes. The national 12315 consumer dispute resolution platform has directly resolved 5.835 million consumer disputes to date, according to Peng.
In the judicial arena, courts across China are enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights to promote technological innovation. Zhou Jiahai, director of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court, highlighted that courts are handling new types of cases involving issues like data-driven price discrimination, clarifying adjudication rules for emerging internet-related legal areas.
Courts are also exploring the integration of judicial work with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. The development of digital courts aims to improve the efficiency and quality of judicial processes. In 2023, courts nationwide accepted over 45 million cases, with 30 percent filed online and more than half of all related legal documents served electronically, Zhou noted.
As China continues to advance law-based cyberspace governance, these efforts contribute to a more secure, fair, and dynamic digital environment, supporting the country's ongoing digital transformation and economic growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
