China Defends Censorship in Internet White Paper

China has released a white paper that calls the Internet “a crystallization of human wisdom.” The document explains the government’s attitude towards the Web and defends its right to censor the global network within its borders.

The country’s state-secrets law has been amended in a way that makes Internet and telecommunications firms now responsible for helping the government police the Web. Still, China maintains that its people have unfettered access to the Internet. “Chinese citizens fully enjoy freedom of speech on the Internet,” the white paper states. In another section, China reaffirms its determination to govern the Internet within its borders under its own rules. “Within Chinese territory the Internet is under the jurisdiction of Chinese sovereignty,” the document states. “The Internet sovereignty of China should be respected and protected.”

The document explains why the Chinese government wants to curb the alleged harmful effects of illegal information on state security, public interests, and children, stating that “laws and regulations clearly prohibit the spread of information that contains content subverting state power, undermining national unity [or] infringing upon national honor and interests.” Websites, blogs and information deemed sensitive by the Chinese government is routinely blocked using a range of technological tools dubbed the “Great Firewall of China.”

The white paper also reveals just how fast the Internet has developed in China in the 16 years since it was first connected. The government expects that nearly half the population will have access to the Internet within five years, compared to 30 percent now. The document also mentions that foreign individuals and firms can use the Internet in China if they abide by the country’s laws.

Google (GOOG) recently pulled out of mainland China, saying it was no longer willing to accept government censorship. Its Chinese-language services are now based in Hong Kong.