China plots path to get ahead of global cyber pack
But detailed domestic plan does not quell concerns among foreign players about access to the sector and cybersecurity requirements
China has unveiled an ambitious plan to become a leading cyberpower, but foreign players are concerned about just how open the sector will be.
Under the plan, the country should become a leader in some key information and communications technologies by 2020. Breakthroughs in 5G-related technologies are expected by the same deadline.
The plan will guide policy and spells out the vision of internet and “cyberspace sovereignty” President Xi Jinping promoted at a major internet forum in Wuzhen, last year.
The blueprint lays out the ambitions of Beijing – which on one hand allows broad commercial use of the internet and on the other runs one of the world’s harshest online policing systems – to subject information technology to its economic and social agendas.
The plan did not mention opening up the internet market to foreign companies. China still closes its doors to many websites, including Google, Facebook and Twitter, and does not allow foreign telecom operators.
China aims to become internet superpower by 2050
Zhang Yingchao, an analyst at London-based research agency North Square Blue Oak, said the government was very cautious about opening up the internet.
