Twenty years ago, when China became part of the global network, few people could predict the importance of the Internet. Now that the Internet has become a major vehicle of communication in China, the government needs to enact a special law on online administration to bring order to its cyberspace. This is also essential to let the Internet play a more positive role in society, which has been suffering the effects of an ill-regulated network, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

These are, as they say, the best of times and the worst of times for Internet users on the Chinese mainland. The absence of a special law for the Internet has created an uncertain, if not a disorderly, environment for online users. The Internet abounds in libel cases, frauds, infringements and rumors, making surfing online a troublesome experience at times and causing harm to the entire society.

The mainland has more than 500 million Internet users and is one of the most Internet-friendly regions in the world. But the mainland network has been running for about 20 years without a specific law to regulate it.

Passing a special law is not about restricting people's freedom of expression but about solving the problems created by the abuse of the freedom of expression. The international practice is to regulate the Internet with laws, because the virtual world has become an indispensable part of real people's life. Also, electronic commerce, new governance and many public services require a reliable and well-regulated online environment.

Legislation is by far the best way for the mainland to protect the online information network both for society as a whole and individual citizens. A special law will also raise people's awareness of information security and protection of privacy rights.

Information technology is neutral in itself. And whether IT plays a positive or negative role depends on the people using it. Therefore, a special law on Internet administration will fundamentally remain a law to regulate people's behaviors, not to further rein in IT. If face-to-face fraud is a crime in real life, using the Internet to defraud others cannot be treated differently.

In other words, passing a special law will make life more convenient for web users and guarantee a trustworthy and well-regulated cyberspace for all law-abiding surfers.

(China Daily 12/22/2012 page5)