Ensuring cyber security an indisputable norm

Xinhua, July 25, 2015

In order to operate in Britain, China's Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, had to accept censorship of its products by the British government. It is widely acknowledged that such security checks are an international norm and that their scope is limited, which means only a handful of extremely sensitive products that may threaten national security are subject to them.

Such a system in China will not discriminate against foreign companies or act in favor of domestic enterprises.

Once the draft law is adopted by the top legislature, the government will enact detailed regulations and release a catalogue of products that should be subject to checks. Those products listed in the catalogue, whether they are manufactured by domestic or foreign companies, will be censored by Chinese regulators.

The regulations will also include measures to protect companies' source codes, commercial secrets and intellectual property, as has been shown by international practice.

Cyber security protection will not be realized by one single law. It needs a systematic legal system and subordinated regulations. Those who rushed to criticize China's "unreasonable" way of safeguarding cyber security should be patient and give the world's largest developing country some time to improve its legal system.

Those foreign companies eying China's market, but not wanting to see an improved Chinese legal system and always relying on finger-pointing tactics to pressure China should reflect: they are law-abiding citizens back in their own country, so why should they not be in China?