• China has the largest population of internet users in the world, with over 1 billion users as of 2023.
• However, internet access in China is not like in most other countries—it is subject to strict governmental control.
• China operates one of the most sophisticated censorship systems, known as the “Great Firewall,” that controls the content Chinese users can access.
• Understanding how internet access is controlled in China is crucial for businesses, travelers, and those who want to understand the global digital landscape.
The Great Firewall of China
What is the Great Firewall?
• Introduced in the late 1990s as part of a broader initiative to regulate information online.
• It encompasses legal and technical measures to block access to foreign websites that contain political, social, or cultural information deemed inappropriate by the government.
How It Works:
• DNS Filtering and Redirection: The system blocks domain names associated with certain websites, rerouting users to other locations.
• IP Address Blocking: Prevents users from accessing specific IP addresses associated with restricted websites.
• URL Filtering: Certain keywords in URLs trigger blocks, preventing specific pages from being accessed even on unrestricted sites.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): The government can inspect and filter data being sent through the internet to prevent access to certain types of content.
Restricted Websites and Platforms
Major Blocked Websites:
• Google Services: Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps, Google Drive, etc., are all inaccessible within China.
• Social Media: Popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are entirely blocked.
• News Media: International news outlets like The New York Times, BBC, and CNN cannot be accessed.
• Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, and foreign streaming platforms are blocked, giving rise to Chinese alternatives.
Effect on Foreigners and Businesses:
• Foreigners traveling to China often struggle to use their regular services.
• Global companies must create alternate strategies to engage with Chinese customers, including using local platforms and services.
Chinese Alternatives to Western Platforms
Local Platforms and Services:
• Baidu: The Chinese equivalent of Google, dominating the search engine market in China with over 75% market share.
• WeChat: Combines messaging, social media, payment systems, and more. It’s the most widely used app in China with over 1 billion monthly active users.
• Weibo: A microblogging platform similar to Twitter, but with tighter government regulation.
• Youku and iQiyi: Chinese versions of YouTube and Netflix, providing video content within the government-approved framework.
Why These Platforms Dominate:
• The government promotes homegrown tech companies by providing subsidies and controlling competition.
• These platforms are fully integrated into the Chinese digital ecosystem, catering specifically to the needs of Chinese consumers.
VPN for China
What is a VPN?
• A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows users to bypass geographical restrictions and encrypt internet traffic. It effectively hides a user’s location, giving access to otherwise blocked content.
• VPN Usage in China:
• Foreign Visitors: Often rely on VPNs to access services like Gmail, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
• Chinese Residents: Some locals use VPNs to access international content, although this practice is not widespread due to legal risks.
• The Chinese government actively seeks to block VPNs, using sophisticated methods such as Deep Packet Inspection, but some VPNs still manage to work effectively.
Legal Status:
• The Chinese government has made it illegal to use unauthorized VPNs since 2017, though enforcement tends to target providers rather than individual users.
• Businesses operating in China must register their VPNs with the government, which ensures that their activities are monitored.
Internet Surveillance and Data Control
Real-time Monitoring:
• The Chinese government monitors internet activity through extensive surveillance networks, including keyword monitoring and content filtering.
• Messaging apps like WeChat are subject to strict monitoring, with specific algorithms flagging any politically sensitive content.
Data Collection:
• Chinese companies are legally obligated to store user data locally, within China’s borders.
• The government has broad access to this data for law enforcement and national security purposes, creating significant privacy concerns.
• Foreign companies operating in China must comply with these data regulations, leading to challenges around data security and cross-border data transfers.
Internet Regulation Laws
Cybersecurity Law (2017):
• Introduced to tighten control over online content and require companies to store personal data on servers within China.
• Internet service providers and platforms are required to verify the identities of their users, preventing anonymity online.
• Companies must cooperate with law enforcement requests to access private data.
Data Security Law (2021):
• Focuses on the protection of national security by controlling the flow of data out of China.
• Regulates how both domestic and foreign companies collect, store, and use data from Chinese users.
• Severe penalties are in place for businesses that fail to comply with these regulations, which can include fines and business suspensions.
Social Credit System and Internet Usage
What is the Social Credit System?
• A nationwide system that tracks citizens' behaviors, including their online activities, to assign a “social credit score.”
• Behaviors like spreading false information, criticizing the government, or associating with blacklisted individuals can negatively impact one’s score.
Impact of the System:
• Low scores can result in penalties such as restricted access to transportation, education, or credit.
• The system has a chilling effect on online behavior, with users selfcensoring their activities to avoid losing social credit.
Impact on Freedom of Speech
Censorship:
• Political discussions, particularly those criticizing the government, are strictly prohibited online.
• Sensitive topics such as human rights issues, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are heavily censored.
• The Chinese government employs thousands of "internet police" to monitor, report, and take down content that violates regulations.
Impact on Activists and Journalists:
• Activists face extreme risks for organizing online protests or criticizing the state, including imprisonment and disappearance.
• Journalists often work under the constant threat of their stories being censored or blocked from reaching the public.
Conclusion: Internet Access in China
Summary:
• China’s internet landscape is highly regulated and significantly different from the global standard.
• The Great Firewall continues to control access to information, with alternative Chinese platforms thriving in the absence of competition from Western tech giants.
• VPNs remain an essential tool for those looking to access unrestricted content, though their usage comes with legal risks.
Looking Forward:
• As global attention to digital privacy and security grows, the debate on China’s internet restrictions will likely intensify.
• Foreign businesses and individuals operating in China must navigate this complex environment carefully, balancing compliance with Chinese law while trying to maintain access to global services.
