II. Chinese Government Regulates the Internet by Law to Guarantee Orderly Internet Information Dissemination

In the era of new media, governments around the world are all concerned about how to ensure orderly dissemination of information. In light of its conditions, China is actively exploring ways to regulate the internet to both boost internet development and ensure security; it strives to regulate the internet under the rule of law, guard orderly online dissemination of information, and punish such unlawful activities as the spread of rumors and fake news in accordance with the law.

China regulates new media and orderly online dissemination of information in accordance with the law. On August 28, 2014, China's State Council issued the Notice on Authorizing the State Internet Information Office to Oversee the Management of Internet Information and Contents. In accordance with the Interim Regulations on the Development and Management of Public Information Services of Instant Messaging Tools, Regulations on the Management of Internet User Accounts, and Regulations on Admonishing Interview with Internet News and Information Service Providers — all issued by the State Internet Information Office — the Office, in collaboration with other units, rolled out campaigns to crack down on internet pornography and illegal publications, online blackmail, and unauthorized removal of postings by hired hands, so as to create a healthy and orderly environment for the development of new media.

The Chinese government ensures the legitimate rights of minors and protects them from harmful information on the internet. Prior to the International Children's Day on June 1, 2015, the government launched an online program for a sound internet environment for the healthy growth of youngsters. As online reports on crimes, bullying and insults targeted at minors increased, the State Internet Information Office issued the Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Online Reports on Crimes Against and Bullying of Minors on June 30, 2015, setting strict standards for online news articles involving such incidents. In online reports involving minors, raw videos and untreated pictures of violence, bloodshed, pornography and horror are strictly forbidden. Collecting information from minors by means of coercion and deceit, discrimination against minors, and profiting from negative news of minors are prohibited. While reporting on news involving minors, websites should develop an awareness of protecting the rights of minors, respecting them and prioritizing their rights and interests.

III. The Development of New Media Ensures the People's Freedom of Speech and Right of Supervision over the Media

Like the real world, the internet honors freedom while maintaining order. Order is necessary for achieving and ensuring freedom. The Internet is not a lawless place. The Chinese government supports free expression of views via new media, and welcomes public criticism and suggestions and discussion of state and social affairs. It strives to create a sound and orderly environment for the public to obtain and exchange information, so that information flows on the internet in a free, safe and orderly fashion.

The internet has become an important source of information and a place to air views for Chinese netizens. The public participates in in-depth discussions of public affairs and activities on an unprecedented scale, exerting a positive impact on public decision-making. From January 1 to February 28, 2015, online searches on the search engine Baidu with the keyword "2015 two sessions" (meaning the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) totaled 580,000. NPC deputies and CPPCC members collected public opinion through the internet, and strengthened interaction with the people through email, Weibo and other channels. On the internet ordinary citizens expressed their views on the "two sessions," contributing ideas and suggestions and participating in the management and discussion of state affairs. In early 2015, the web portals of the Chinese government, People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television, China Internet Information Center (China.org.cn), Sina, and Tencent jointly launched an online activity inviting citizens to contribute their ideas to improve the work of the government. Many well-known public figures took part. The 79,000 suggestions made by netizens were read by relevant departments, 1,426 popular suggestions were sent to the drafting team for the report, and 46 were directly included in the 2015 Report on the Work of the Government. On March 26, 2015, seven netizens were invited to Zhongnanhai, headquarters of the Chinese government, for a seminar to discuss their contribution to the report.

The people's courts at all levels opened their own Microblog accounts, forming a regular information release mechanism under public supervision. At some courts online broadcasting systems have been set up on Weibo with the help of professional video streaming services. At Sina Weibo, 29 courts of Wuhan's Intermediate People's Court and 13 courts at lower levels have been connected to the system.

New media play an important role in facilitating free expression of public demand and opinion, in solving issues related to public well-being, and in promoting political progress. As the management of public affairs turns O2O, public engagement has increased. "Wenzheng Yinchuan," the government Weibo account of Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, was opened to listen to public opinions and activate government action offline. The Siming District government in Xiamen, Fujian Province set up a Weibo account by the name "Silian Mingzhi" as a supervising service to receive complaints online and deal with problems offline. In many places social media platforms serve as a vinculum between the police and citizens. In Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, netizens like to seek help from "Jinzhong Gong'an," the Weibo account of the local public security services. In Taiyuan, "Wangluo Wenzheng" is a popular government account which answers citizens' questions every week.