NCJ Number
229574
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 103-120
Date Published
February 2010
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the development of Internet use in China, and examines the Chinese Government's response to censorship and cyber crimes.
Abstract
Since its first Internet connection with the global computer network in 1994, China has witnessed explosive Internet development. By the end of 2008, China replaced the United States as the largest Internet user of the world. Although China enjoyed tremendous economic benefits from Internet development, the Chinese government has tried to maintain tight control over the telecommunications industry and the public Internet use, and fight increasing cyber crimes. In this article, the authors first review historical development of Internet use in China and then focused on China's Internet censorship and its regulatory control. Next, they explore how the Internet is actively utilized by both the government and the public to serve political and civic functions. Finally, they discuss cyber crimes as an emergent form of crime in China and examines how the Chinese government reacts to these offenses. Lessons from Internet use and regulation in China are also discussed within the context of China's economic, political, and legal conditions. References (Published Abstract)