Lu Wei will apply 'China model' to internet governance

Subject

Profile of Lu Wei.

Significance

Led by Lu Wei, the new Cyberspace Administration of China has led a vast expansion of internet governance since February 2014. China has become more vocal on questions of global internet governance and more assertive in its international internet policy.

Impacts

• Lu will lead policies that aim to apply to cyberspace China's trademark combination of economic openness and political authoritarianism.
• Lu will need to reconcile the demands of the state security apparatus with those of commercial interests calling for openness.
• Calls for regulation even from liberal democracies will give China an opportunity to press its case internationally.
• For now, the absence of an international regime will allow China to regulate its domestic internet as it wishes.