The Chinese government has released its blueprint for development between 2016 and 2020. China plans to become a world leader in semiconductors and in the next generation of chip materials, robotics, aviation equipment and satellites, Reuters report. In its new draft 5-year development plan released on 5 March, the Chinese government unveiled plans to use the internet to boost a slowing economy and make the country a cyber power.
As part of its "cyber power strategy", China will increase its R&D spending to 2.5 percent of GDP for the five-year term, compared with 2.1 percent of GDP in the 2011/15 period. China also hopes to use its technology sector's nimbleness and ability to gather and process large amounts of data to develop traditional areas of the economy, and support the transition to a growth model based on services and consumption rather than on exports and investment. This ‘Internet Plus’ policy will also apply to government, health care and education.
The Chinese government also plans to strengthen internet control capabilities, set up a network security review system, up cyberspace control and promote a multilateral, democratic and transparent international internet governance system, according to the plan. According to the 5-year plan, China will "strengthen the struggle against enemies in online sovereign space and increase control of online public sentiment". It will also "perfect cybersecurity laws and legislation".
