China has finally passed a long-awaited cybersecurity law that will usher in a new era of regulation in the country's digital and technology sector. Previous versions of the bill, which just completed its third and final round of review, make it clear that the state intends to tighten its already firm grip on the industry. Now that the new law is passed, one thing is certain: The Communist Party of China (CPC) is eager to protect its position in power by controlling the flow of information in China.
That said, closely guarding the exchange of data often runs counter to the idea of maintaining a vibrant technology sector in today's digital age. The latter is an important part of China's plan to transition its economy toward higher-end products, but its allure is unlikely to outweigh party leaders' concerns about safeguarding the cohesion and social stability that guarantee their political futures. Instead,...
