There will be no let up in state control over China’s internet, according to a government white paper released on Tuesday, Reuters reported. In addition, Beijing will accept no outside criticism of its controls. The remarks come in the wake of a public row with Google (GOOG.NASDAQ), while sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube remain blocked in the mainland. The document outlines plans to raise internet penetration to 45% of the population, up from 30% now, over the next five years. However, the white paper also notes that internet security is “an indispensable requirement for protecting state security and the public interest,” adding that the government is “determined to improve its internet administration work.” Opponents to the Chinese regulatory approach argue that the definitions of what can and cannot be discussed are so vague that internet security laws could be used to target anyone.
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