As China gears itself towards becoming an Internet power, President Xi Jinping, addressing the members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee during a study session on Oct. 9, called for further development of the country’s Internet and information technology and stressed the necessity for extra reinforcement of its network security, reported Xinhua.
The government believes that it can use a better Internet technology to help the leaders of the country practice good governance, provide effective and efficient public service and promote science-based decision-making.
As the country brims with pride for having the largest e-commerce market in the world, it also acknowledges that its Internet and information technology still lacks innovation.
China needs to make more advanced progress in, for example, operating systems and mobile communication as well as in other areas of study, such as quantum information science (quantum communication and quantum computing).
President Xi said that “there is still a huge gap,” as quoted by Xinhua, between the Internet technology and network security of the great Internet powers of the world and that of China, reported Reuters.
The country, the president said, “must accelerate . . . the building of secure and controllable information technology systems.”
During his speech at the opening ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference on Dec. 2015 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, President Xi encouraged countries to make a collective effort in preventing the abuse of information technology, according to Xinhua.
The president underscored the significance of the existence of freedom and order in cyberspace, which, he likewise emphasized, should be governed by law.
In addition, he expressed disapproval over cyber terrorism and cyber surveillance.
On April 19, while attending a symposium on cybersecurity and informatization, President Xi reminded the world that China shall continue opening its doors to foreign investors particularly Internet companies provided they will adhere to relevant Chinese laws.
With the largest online population in the world--700 million people--China’s average broadband speed is surprisingly 9.46 megabits per second, according to China Daily.
In Asia, South Korea (26.7 Mbps) and Japan (14.7 Mbps) enjoy the fastest Internet connection speed.