Internet seen as changing people's lifestyles in growing China

A special cable with a bandwidth of only 64 kilobytes plugged China into a local educational network in the Internet in 1994 and which, 15 years later, has grown to include some 384 million users in the world's most populous country.

A white paper issued by the State Council's Information Office on Tuesday illustrated how the Internet, a novel tool that used to exclusively belong to a few researchers, has changed the Chinese people's daily lives and assisted the government's management of society.

Observers have noted that the Internet in China has become a necessary and direct medium which connects the country's supreme leaders with common citizens.

The facts and figures revealed in the white paper indicates how the power of the Internet has brought a closer relationship between China's rural and urban populations, as well as the government and people, said Prof. Gao Gang, executive vice dean of the Journalism School of Renmin University of China.

According to the white paper, China invested more than 4.3 trillion yuan (630 billion U.S. dollars) in Internet infrastructure construction from 1997 to 2009.

By the end of 2009, the number of computer terminals in China connected by broadband to the Internet had reached 136 million. Further, more than 99.3 percent of Chinese townships are now accessible to the Internet.

Additionally, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have set an example for government officials by participating in online chats with common netizens.

"The interactive move on the Internet by the top leaders is a sign for the government to improve its idea of governance," Prof. Gao said. "Common netizens could have a new way to participate in discussing state affairs with the leaders."

The Internet also helps Chinese citizens increase their civic awareness, said Prof. Min Dahong, president of the Beijing Association of Online Media. The development of the Internet in China would not only change the pattern of economic activities, but also arouse people's deeper thinking on public affairs, added Min.

The white paper added that Chinese Internet portals pay much attention so users are able to express their opinions. About 80 percent of Chinese websites provide Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) while more than 220 million Chinese bloggers exchange their thoughts and opinions on public issues through the Internet.

Further, to assist in the ongoing adjustments during the reform of China's medical care system along with other major public policies, the government regularly solicits public feedback through emails before those policies are announced.

"This could be seen as a positive result for the government's unremitting effort to develop network and information industries," Prof. Gao said.

"It opens a new door for the Chinese people to express their concerns and suggestions directly to the government on a specific policy closely related to their interests."

At the same time, the interactivity of the Internet has also taught the Chinese people how to protect their own interests and supervise the government. For instance, a series of officials' scandals in recent years were first exposed by Internet users through online forums.

"The Chinese government has been improving its understanding on the Internet and is fully aware that it could be an effective method to understand the public will and affect the people's daily lives in all aspects." Prof. Xiong Chengyu of Tsinghua University said.

However, the Chinese government noticed that the Internet is also a double-sided tool which could broadcast knowledge and unhealthy information, as well.

To screen out pornography and lewd content that could be seen by minors through the Internet, the government proposed in 2009 that domestic personal computer makers and sellers pre-install filter software on their products.

Although the policy later triggered controversial discussions, the government's endeavor to combat illegal and unhealthy online information has been undeniable.

The white paper further said the Chinese government advocated technical resolution for Internet management to reduce the harm done by illegal information to national security, public interests and minors.

"On the other hand, to reduce illegal information on the Internet, laws and regulations are not enough," Prof. Xiong said. "The white paper also mentioned that the government supports and encourages participation by all social circles to carry out education for the proper use of the Internet."

Although the Internet has seen an explosive increase in usage within the past 15 years in China, it has had uneven popularity rates between the country's east and west, and urban and rural populations.

Among the total netizens, 72.2 percent are urban residents and 27.8 percent are rural inhabitants, according to the white paper.

To narrow the digital divide the Internet has brought to the Chinese people, the government will devote itself to promoting the Internet's applications and popularity, striving to make the Internet accessible to 45 percent of its 1.3 billion population, the white paper said.

Source:Xinhua