A crystallization of human wisdom, the Internet is a significant technological invention of the 20th century and a major symbol of contemporary advanced productive force. The Internet has brought about profound impacts on the world economy, politics, culture and social progress, and promoted the transformation of social production, daily life and information dissemination.

The Chinese government fully understands the Internet's irreplaceable role in accelerating the development of the national economy, pushing forward scientific and technological advancement, and expediting the informational transformation of social services, and places emphasis on and actively supports Internet development and application. It deems the development of the Internet to be an important booster of nationwide information technology (IT) application, sound development of the economy and society, enhancement of scientific and technological innovation, and livelihood improvement. It has worked out policies and regulations, and created market conditions conducive to the development of the Internet. By improving the national information network infrastructure, launching state key information network projects, fueling relevant scientific and technological R&D, training IT personnel, and fostering a market with diversified information and communication services, the government endeavors to promote the sustained, sound and rapid growth of the Internet in China so as to meet people's increasing demands for information.

The Chinese government energetically advocates and actively supports the development and application of the Internet across the country. Along with the robust growth and spread of the Internet, profound changes have taken place in and will continue to impact the country's production, daily work, education and lifestyle. China now boasts the most Internet users in the world.

To build, utilize and administer the Internet well is an issue that concerns national economic prosperity and development, state security and social harmony, state sovereignty and dignity, and the basic interests of the people. The government has a basic policy regarding the Internet: active use, scientific development, law-based administration and ensured security. The Chinese government has from the outset abided by law-based administration of the Internet, and endeavored to create a healthy and harmonious Internet environment, and build an Internet that is more reliable, useful and conducive to economic and social development.

The Chinese government will constantly adjust relevant policies to better match the inherent law and the objective requirements of the development and administration of the Internet. While absorbing good experiences of other countries in developing and controlling the Internet, China is prepared to work with them for the further progress of the Internet.

This white paper introduces the facts of the Internet situation in China, and elaborates on China's basic policies on the Internet and basic views on relevant issues, thereby providing an overall picture to the Chinese people and the peoples of the rest of the world of the true situation of the Internet in China.