DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-INTERNET (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258473
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China is defending new rules imposed on the
Internet, saying they are aimed at protecting state
security. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing, the
Chinese government says the new controls should not worry
foreign companies that want to do business in China.
TEXT: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao refused
to discuss the reasons for the government's decision to try
to tighten control of the Internet. On Wednesday, the
government published a new set of rules for the Internet
which critics say could have a chilling effect on both
business and personal use of the web. But Mr. Zhu --
speaking through an interpreter -- defended Beijing's
actions.
// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
What I would like to say is that recent years have seen the
rapid development of Internet in China. The measures we
have taken in this regard are very positive. I think that
for any country, they will adopt necessary policies in terms
of protecting state security.
// END ACT //
The Chinese spokesman expressed his government's hope that
the new rules would not frighten away foreign businesses.
// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
This will not hamper the process of foreign companies
entering into China.
// END ACT //
Mr. Zhu did acknowledge, though, that what he referred to as
"irrationally encrypted commodity exchanges" will be
affected.
New regulations require all companies in China to provide
the government extensive information about their encryption
software by January 31st. Encryption software enables
people and businesses to send confidential information and
financial data safely over the Internet.
The regulations also mandate that all electronic products in
China use encryption software manufactured in China.
Other new rules, that retroactively went into effect at the
beginning of the year, were outlined in a report Wednesday
in the People's Daily -- the flagship paper of the ruling
Communist Party.
The report said any information released over the Internet
must first be approved by Chinese security authorities. It
added that operators of Internet chat rooms or online
discussion groups must undergo security checks.
The regulations say any discussion or dissemination via the
Internet of what the government considers a state secret is
forbidden and grounds for punishment.
Internet use in China has grown significantly in recent
years. Official Chinese media say there were nearly nine
million Internet users in China by the end of last year --
more than four times as many as the year before. (signed)
NEB/HO/FC
27-Jan-2000 06:06 AM EDT (27-Jan-2000 1106 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
