China introduces new rules for spread of information

China has introduced extensive new rules to restrict the dissemination of information regarding its military on the internet, a decision that may hinder essential channels for overseeing the globe’s largest military. The regulations, revealed over the weekend and set to begin on March 1, arrive as China is swiftly enhancing and modernizing its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to align with the military power of the United States.

It also represents the most recent move in leader Xi Jinping’s extensive initiative to strengthen national security and protect state secrets amid rising geopolitical tensions – actions that have increased the challenge for foreign analysts to comprehend the situation in China.

The sweeping regulations may greatly influence Chinese military bloggers and commentators, who typically rush to disseminate images or details concerning new weapon systems, personnel changes, and troop deployments. This publicly accessible information shared by Chinese military fans has also served as a crucial resource for PLA observers to monitor the advancements and activities of the Chinese military.

The rules are designed to tackle concerns such as “the dissemination of false military information” and “the exposure of military secrets” online, as stated in a Q&A published by the government. They establish stringent regulations for online material regarding military matters, prohibiting the “creation, replication, publication and distribution” of military secrets, national defense technology, industry secrets, or any other confidential information.

The prohibited list includes all aspects from the creation and evaluation of weapon systems to military exercises and troop deployment, including the organizational frameworks, responsibilities, and combat functions of military units that remain undisclosed. Joseph Wen, an independent analyst in Taipei who records publicly accessible intelligence regarding the PLA, stated that the ruling Chinese Communist Party has consistently been characterized by a significant level of opacity.

Wen added that the new regulations indicate Beijing is starting to shift away from this method and set defined limits for “protecting secrets.” The regulations focus on individual users and “online military information service providers,” encompassing specific military-themed websites, military commentary columns, and social media profiles dedicated to military topics. Demonstrating their extensive reach, these regulations were issued collectively by 10 government and Communist Party entities, including the leading internet regulatory authority and the main military command body, as well as the ministries of public security, state security, and culture and tourism.

Open source data has offered crucial insights into China’s military advancements historically. In December, videos and photos of what many thought was China’s next-generation stealth fighter jet created significant excitement among the Chinese and the international PLA observing community, as the enigmatic aircraft were spotted flying in daylight over two Chinese cities. It’s uncertain how the revised regulations will impact foreign media coverage of the Chinese military.