telecommunications, Internet, broadband, electronics, computing, and software, the
MIIT’s enhanced authority includes supervision of IT development, formerly held by
the National Development and Reform Commission. 43 Physical access to the Internet
is controlled by the MIIT and is provided by eight state-licensed Internet access providers (ISPs), each of which has at least one connection to a foreign Internet backbone. 44 China’s international outlet bandwidth reached 640 Gbps in 2008, an
increase of 73.6 percent, but China Telecom (ChinaNET) maintained more than 50
percent of that bandwidth. 45 China Netcom (now China Unicom) joined China’s second-largest ISP, China169, after China Telecom split off in 2003. 46
In an effort to boost the fixed-line phone industry’s competitiveness in the mobile
market, in 2008 numerous ministries jointly decided to merge the assets of the nation’s
six state-owned telecommunication companies and form three groups, announcing a
plan to issue licenses for high-speed 3G cell phone services after the restructuring. 47
As part of the reorganization, China Netcom was fully incorporated into China Unicom
in October 2008, reportedly completing the biggest merger in Chinese history. 48 In
January 2009, the MIIT issued three 3G licenses, with China Unicom and China Telecom receiving licenses for established 3G services and China Mobile authorized to carry
a Chinese TD-SCDMA service, so far unproven, that has been a priority of research and
development for the government. 49
By sheer scope and range of topics—from online novels to video satires 50 —the Internet ‘‘cannot be ignored as a battleground for spreading public opinion’’ and sentiment. 51 Frequently, incidents that go viral (gaining widespread popularity by virtue
of being shared on the Internet) are then catapulted into national prominence, frequently leading to calls for government action and response. According to Hu Yong,
a journalism professor, dedicated coverage by online portals, extensive commentary
on discussion forms, and the potency of Internet rumors that reverberate back into
traditional media are driving convergence in the communications industry—especially
in spawning ‘‘new media events’’ that often result in consequences for the officials,
businesspeople, or celebrities involved. 52 In an unpublished investigative report
obtained by David Bandurski of the China Media Project, the vice president of People’s
Daily Online said that of the numerous secret internal reports sent up to the Central
Party Committee each year, two-thirds of the few hundred reports given priority and
action by top leaders are from the Internet Office of the State Council Information
Office. 53
The rising prominence of collective efforts over the Internet to target and expose personal data, 54 known as ‘‘human flesh search engines,’’ appear to serve a voracious
appetite within the Chinese online community for personal accountability. According
to Xinhua, the phenomenon had its origins in 2001, when a man posted a picture of
a woman he claimed to be his girlfriend on the portal Mop.com, and other Internet
users identified her as a model for Microsoft, proving him a liar. 55 They can initiate
454
China
MIIT’s enhanced authority includes supervision of IT development, formerly held by
the National Development and Reform Commission. 43 Physical access to the Internet
is controlled by the MIIT and is provided by eight state-licensed Internet access providers (ISPs), each of which has at least one connection to a foreign Internet backbone. 44 China’s international outlet bandwidth reached 640 Gbps in 2008, an
increase of 73.6 percent, but China Telecom (ChinaNET) maintained more than 50
percent of that bandwidth. 45 China Netcom (now China Unicom) joined China’s second-largest ISP, China169, after China Telecom split off in 2003. 46
In an effort to boost the fixed-line phone industry’s competitiveness in the mobile
market, in 2008 numerous ministries jointly decided to merge the assets of the nation’s
six state-owned telecommunication companies and form three groups, announcing a
plan to issue licenses for high-speed 3G cell phone services after the restructuring. 47
As part of the reorganization, China Netcom was fully incorporated into China Unicom
in October 2008, reportedly completing the biggest merger in Chinese history. 48 In
January 2009, the MIIT issued three 3G licenses, with China Unicom and China Telecom receiving licenses for established 3G services and China Mobile authorized to carry
a Chinese TD-SCDMA service, so far unproven, that has been a priority of research and
development for the government. 49
By sheer scope and range of topics—from online novels to video satires 50 —the Internet ‘‘cannot be ignored as a battleground for spreading public opinion’’ and sentiment. 51 Frequently, incidents that go viral (gaining widespread popularity by virtue
of being shared on the Internet) are then catapulted into national prominence, frequently leading to calls for government action and response. According to Hu Yong,
a journalism professor, dedicated coverage by online portals, extensive commentary
on discussion forms, and the potency of Internet rumors that reverberate back into
traditional media are driving convergence in the communications industry—especially
in spawning ‘‘new media events’’ that often result in consequences for the officials,
businesspeople, or celebrities involved. 52 In an unpublished investigative report
obtained by David Bandurski of the China Media Project, the vice president of People’s
Daily Online said that of the numerous secret internal reports sent up to the Central
Party Committee each year, two-thirds of the few hundred reports given priority and
action by top leaders are from the Internet Office of the State Council Information
Office. 53
The rising prominence of collective efforts over the Internet to target and expose personal data, 54 known as ‘‘human flesh search engines,’’ appear to serve a voracious
appetite within the Chinese online community for personal accountability. According
to Xinhua, the phenomenon had its origins in 2001, when a man posted a picture of
a woman he claimed to be his girlfriend on the portal Mop.com, and other Internet
users identified her as a model for Microsoft, proving him a liar. 55 They can initiate
454
China