Kyodo News: 

I have two questions. The first one is: In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that China will move faster to boost China's strength in cyberspace. So what will China do in the next five years? And what measures will be taken? My second question is: As China continues to strengthen cyber security in recent years, some foreign companies have expressed worries about restrictions on their work in China. What is China's response to such concerns? Thank you.

Cao Shumin:

Thank you for your questions. You asked two questions. The first one is about building China's strength in cyberspace. We invite Mr. Yang Shuzhen to answer it, and Ms. Qi Xiaoxia will take the second.

Yang Shuzhen:

The 20th CPC National Congress has drawn a blueprint for the future development of the Party and the country. Particularly, based on the development trends of the information age, it has put forward a series of new tasks, new arrangements, and new requirements for boosting China's strength in cyberspace. We must fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, follow General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirements of "developing strong technology, content, and talent pool, building a solid base, and having a better say in related international affairs," and make efforts to build China's strength in cyberspace, so as to provide strong services, support, and guarantees for building a modern socialist country in all respects. Specifically, our future work will include the following seven aspects.

First, we will better develop online content to shape a new pattern of public opinion. We will give full play to the communication advantage of the internet, promote the construction of omnimedia communication system, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground in the publicity work concerning major online topics, strive to create high-quality, uplifting content, and comprehensively improve the accuracy, effectiveness, and attractiveness of international communication online, so as to steadily amplify mainstream online public opinion and the voice of China.

Second, we will promote the formation of a sound cyber ecosystem by improving the comprehensive internet governance system. On the basis of the governance system to be completed by this year, we will strive to build a scientific, efficient, and orderly internet governance pattern, promote cultural-ethical advancement on the internet, advance legislation, administration of justice, law enforcement, and law popularization with regard to the internet. We will intensify efforts to strengthen governance at the source of the cyber ecosystem, enhance governance in a systematic and law-based manner, and press ahead with "Operation Qinglang" so as to build a cleaner cyberspace.

Third, we will accelerate the construction of "digital China" to help realize Chinese modernization. We will give full play to the leading role of the overall layout of "digital China," accelerate the development of new-generation information infrastructure, promote the integrated development of the digital economy and the real economy, build internationally competitive digital industrial clusters, and accelerate the development of a digital government, a digital society, and a digital countryside. We will carry out the action plan for coordinated transformation and development of digitalization and greening and the action plan for enhancing digital literacy and skills of the entire population to promote new development with new growth drivers.

Fourth, we will focus on making breakthroughs in core technologies in the information sector to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in cutting-edge technologies. We will give full play to the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide and the leading role of major projects, accelerate original and pioneering sci-tech breakthroughs, strengthen basic research, improve incentive mechanisms, and facilitate the formation of an innovation ecosystem and the independent capacity of industries.

Fifth, we will maintain cybersecurity and data security to promote the modernization of the national security system and capabilities. We will comprehensively strengthen supporting systems and capacity building to ensure cybersecurity and data security, enhance security and protection of critical information infrastructure, strengthen the protection of personal information and important data, and effectively safeguard national cybersecurity and the vital interests of the people.

Sixth, we will strive to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation in cyberspace and actively participate in cyberspace governance in a bid to deliver more tangible benefits brought by the development of the internet to people all over the world.

Seventh, we will step up efforts to cultivate a team of internationally competitive professionals in cybersecurity and IT to advance the country's workforce development strategy. We will innovate the mechanism for cultivating talents in this realm to produce more science strategists, first-class scientists and innovation teams, young scientists, and outstanding engineers. We will also build a new type of think tanks and cultivate a strong team of officials to provide strong intellectual and personnel support to build up the country's strength in such fields. Thank you.

Qi Xiaoxia:

I will answer the second question raised by the reporter from Kyodo News. This question is about foreign companies' concerns about restrictions on operating in China. My answer is clear: such concern is absolutely unnecessary. As the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has underscored, China remains committed to the fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world. You may have noticed that, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the fifth China International Import Expo on Nov. 4, President Xi Jinping pointed out that China "will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities in its vast market," "will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from its institutional opening up," and "will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from deepened international cooperation." We can see from this that China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. 

According to data from Chinese competent authorities, more than a million foreign companies were registered in China, of which Japanese-funded enterprises account for a large proportion. This shows that foreign companies are very confident in China's business environment. The Chinese government has always been committed to fostering a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment, encouraging enterprises to operate and develop in accordance with laws and regulations and treating Chinese and foreign-funded enterprises as equals. Thanks.