Internet Law and Policy in the People's Republic of China
Internet Law and Policy in the People's Republic of China

Summary/Abstract: With a population of approximately 1.3 billion people, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) has more citizens than any other state in the world. That fact, combined with the PRC Government‘s encouragement of Internet use, make it reasonable to suggest that the PRC is emerging as a major participant in the global use of the Internet. The potential of the PRC as a future market is augmented by the increasing strength of the PRC’s economy. Currently the PRC is the fastest growing economy in Asia. Indeed, the rapid development of the Chinese economy is unprecedented in modern history. Further, there is currently a certain degree of fear about the impact that the PRC’s restrictions on freedom of expression might have on the Internet. It is against this background that this paper provides a ‘snapshot’ of some interesting aspects of Internet law and policy in the People’s Republic of China. Particular attention is given to the extraterritorial reach of the PRC’s regulation. More specifically, it examines the circumstances under which the PRC courts may claim jurisdiction over a foreign website in relation to contracts and defamation.

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