When thinking about China and the Internet, the first thing that probably comes to one’s mind is censorship: The Great Firewall of China that insulates the Chinese population from western in-fluence via Google, Facebook or Wikipedia. But it is not only that. The restrictions do not only disconnect China from foreign webpages that may contain critical information. Censorship of the internet impacts the People’s Republic of China on many different levels.
First of all, it is a political topic, because of the internet’s influence on public opinion. But this also affects China’s international relations to other governments. Second, it is a business-related topic. So many industries count on the internet and censorship is a hurdle for their development. Instead of blocking this development, China will have to embrace the internet as a cornerstone for its future economy to be able to continue growing.
To support this statement, this paper will discuss the implications of online censorship on domestic and foreign policy and the affects on international trade and China’s future growth, respectively.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Policy
2.1. Domestic Policy
2.2. Foreign Policy
3. Business and Economy
3.1. Trade barriers
3.2. Knowledge- and service-based economy
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the political and economic implications of internet censorship in China, specifically focusing on how the "Great Firewall" influences domestic policy, international relations, and the country's necessary economic transition toward a knowledge-based system.
- The role of the Golden Shield in domestic political control and public opinion management.
- The impact of digital censorship on China's international relations and foreign policy perception.
- Trade barriers and the conflict between global tech companies and Chinese censorship laws.
- The transition from a factor-based economy to a knowledge- and service-based economy as a prerequisite for sustainable growth.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Trade barriers
Consumers nowadays are more and more aware of sweatshops, child labour, environmental standards and so on. They observe companies’ practices and consider them when making their decision where and what to buy. The internet is a convenient and efficient place to search and spread such information. It creates awareness which in turn can have a real effect on companies. Many firms, like IKEA or Nike, started controlling their supply chains more closely after the public became aware of the circumstances under which their furniture or clothing was produced. Events like this have led to the recognition of corporate social responsibility (CSR) which is now an important issue in the business world. Of course, the impact of the internet here is existent but limited.
A better example is the recent dispute between the Chinese government and Google, where the role of the internet is central. To be allowed to do business in China, Google had to censor its search results in accordance with the domestic internet censorship law. As a company that wants to make information available to everybody and that bases its functionality on democracy, Google was presented with a conflict of interest between staying in the country with the most internet users worldwide and human rights.
In December 2009 Google’s servers became victim of large scale cyber attacks that aimed at several companies and accessing Gmail accounts of human rights activists. Google accused the Chinese government of these attacks and as a consequence threatened to stop self-censoring search results. As mentioned before, this accusation is now supported by cables that were recently published by WikiLeaks.
Today Google is still operating in China and circumventing self-censorship by redirecting Chinese users to servers located in Hong Kong where search results are not filtered. That does not mean that now Chinese users can access pages which were blocked before; Google is just not actively supporting censorship anymore. Nevertheless, the company still faces difficulties in working freely and expanding its business in the country.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the internet's role in China, introducing the "Great Firewall" and outlining how online censorship impacts both politics and the economy.
2. Policy: This chapter analyzes the Golden Shield project as a tool for government surveillance and discusses its consequences for domestic political stability and foreign relations.
2.1. Domestic Policy: This section explores how the government monitors public opinion and evaluates whether the internet actually acts as a driver for political revolution or social enlightenment.
2.2. Foreign Policy: This section addresses China's international standing, the U.S. perspective on Chinese digital isolation, and the role of the internet in modern cyber-geopolitics.
3. Business and Economy: This chapter examines the dual nature of the internet as both an opportunity and a threat to corporate operations within China.
3.1. Trade barriers: This section details how censorship creates obstacles for international companies, using the conflict between Google and the Chinese government as a primary case study.
3.2. Knowledge- and service-based economy: This section argues that China must move away from a factor-based economy and embrace the internet's full potential to sustain future growth and manage demographic changes.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, asserting that liberalizing the internet is essential for China’s reputation, global cooperation, and long-term economic development.
Keywords
Great Firewall, Golden Shield, Internet Censorship, China, Foreign Policy, Domestic Policy, Google, Trade Barriers, Knowledge Economy, Economic Growth, Corporate Social Responsibility, Cyberwarfare, Digital Infrastructure, Transparency, Political Reform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the political and economic implications of the "Great Firewall of China," analyzing how internet censorship shapes China’s domestic stability, foreign policy, and economic competitiveness.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include government control through the Golden Shield, the impact of censorship on international trade relations, the challenges faced by foreign tech firms like Google, and the necessity of transitioning toward a knowledge-based economy.
What is the research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that while the Chinese government uses internet censorship to maintain power, this policy creates long-term obstacles for economic growth and international integration, suggesting that liberalization is inevitable.
Which methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of geopolitical and economic data, incorporating recent case studies (such as the Google-China dispute) and academic theories regarding the "knowledge economy" and political development.
What does the main body cover?
The main body is structured into two parts: a policy section investigating the political motives and consequences of the Golden Shield, and a business/economic section evaluating how restricted internet access affects innovation, trade, and economic sustainability.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Great Firewall, Golden Shield, Internet Censorship, Knowledge Economy, Foreign Policy, and Trade Barriers.
How does the author view the dispute between Google and the Chinese government?
The author views it as a representative case study of the trade barriers created by censorship, highlighting the conflict between corporate values of openness and the demands of authoritarian internet regulation.
What is the significance of the "knowledge-based economy" for China?
It is presented as a crucial evolutionary step. The author argues that to overcome issues like environmental degradation and an aging population, China must move beyond being a "factory of the world" and utilize the internet to foster innovation and efficiency.
Does the paper argue that the internet will lead to an immediate revolution?
No, the author suggests that the internet acts more as a driver for slow, progressive social and political change rather than an immediate catalyst for regime overthrow, as the government is also adept at using digital tools for its own benefit.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Runkel (Author), 2010, The Great Firewall of China. Political and economical implications of the Great Shield, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/285238
