China has strengthened its control of the Internet with an extension of its criminal laws to cover the revealing of state secrets and spreading of computer viruses. The new laws were drafted in order “to promote the healthy development of the Internet and protect national security.” They also make it an offense “to use the Internet to promote religious cults, hurt national unity, or undermine the government.” (Source: William Kazer, writing for the South China Morning Post, December 30, 2000.) These laws raise as many concerns as they solve existing problems. Clearly governments have a strong need to protect their vital interests, but the new laws seem quite sweeping. The vagueness of expressions like “hurting national unity” may be particularly awkward—the intention is to prevent secession, but what constitutes a “nation” is itself arguable.

a. What impacts do you think these new laws will have for citizens of China?

b. Are the laws really enforceable? (Check the products of Safe Web Corporation that allow you to break Internet blockades.)

c. Do we need laws to promote the healthy development of the Internet? What aspects of Internet development do you find unhealthy? Would you want to regulate the Internet’s development? Create groups that will debate these issues.