Chinese citizens have full freedom of speech on the Internet,...

by law, they can and do voice their opinions in many ways, it said. There are “vigorous” online exchanges of ideas and the huge quantity of bulletin board systems and blogs far outstrips that of other countries, it said. A sample survey showed that people post 3 million messages on BBS, news commentary sites, blogs and other sites every day, where they “fully express their opinions and represent their interests,” it said. Moreover, the government has made it possible for citizens to monitor it by reporting corrupt and degenerate officials via the Internet, it said. Chinese leaders often log on to find out what users want and sometimes respond directly to questions, it said. It’s common for governments at all levels to consult the public online before formulating policies, it said. But while people’s freedom and privacy of correspondence are legally protected, they're not allowed to infringe upon state, social or collective interests or the legitimate rights of others, the white paper said. No organization or individual can use telecom networks to engage in activities that “jeopardize state security, the public interest or the legitimate rights and interests of other people,” it said. In addition, users are barred from spreading information that subverts state power, undermines national unity, infringes on national honor and interests, incites ethnic hatred and secession, advocates heresy, pornography, violence, or terror or that infringes on others’ legitimate rights and interests, it said. Such content also threatens the free and safe flow of information on the Internet, it said. China faces severe Internet security threats and a high rate of hacking, it said. National situations and cultural traditions vary among nations, as do concerns about Internet security, it said. Each country’s worries “should be fully respected,” it said. “We should seek common ground and reserve differences, promote development through exchanges, and jointly protect international Internet security.” The policy also calls for: (1) Spurring Internet development to close the digital gap between different regions and between rural and urban areas. (2) Promoting extensive use of the Internet for e-commerce, development of the cultural industries, and dissemination of government information. (3) Promoting “general and hassle-free Internet accessibility,” digital intellectual property and citizens’ online privacy. (4) Sharing with other nations the opportunities offered by the Internet. The government will “unswervingly stick to its opening-up policy,” and welcomes enterprises from other countries into its online market, it said. China’s Internet industry is still rapidly expanding, with new situations and problems emerging all the time, the government said. It promised to stick to the basic principles of administering the Internet according to law, trying to follow the nature and law of new developments in light of its national situation, and encouraging scientific development with effective administration to contribute to the ‘Net’s growth worldwide, it said.