China’s internet is often referred to as the “Great Firewall” because it blocks many foreign websites and services. This isolation from the rest of the world’s internet has led some to claim that China effectively has its own separate internet.
But does China really have a completely independent and isolated internet? Or does it just censor and restrict access to the global internet?
Key Facts About China’s Internet
Here are some key facts about China’s internet and censorship system:
- China has the world’s largest online population at over 900 million internet users.
- The “Great Firewall” blocks access from within China to major foreign sites like Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and many news outlets.
- Chinese replacements for these services have emerged, like Baidu, Weibo, WeChat, Youku, and Sina Weibo.
- VPN software can be used to circumvent China’s censorship, but the government tries to restrict VPN access.
- China accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s internet users, but only about 1% of global IP addresses are registered in China.
How Does China’s Internet Censorship Work?
China’s internet censorship system, often referred to as the “Great Firewall,” works in a few ways:
- IP blocking – Certain IP addresses, domain names, and foreign websites are simply blocked at the network level.
- DNS filtering – Domain name servers filter out and block banned domains so they cannot be accessed.
- URL filtering – Deep packet inspection examines web traffic and blocks URLs, keywords, and links on a blacklist.
- Manually enforcing – The government issues takedown notices to require search engines and web services to manually remove content.
This multilayered censorship system is managed and monitored by the Cyberspace Administration of China. However, censorship is often inconsistent, with restrictions tightening and loosening over time depending on government priorities.
Notable Banned Sites and Services
Here are some of the most high-profile foreign websites and services that are currently blocked in China:
| Site | Service |
|---|---|
| Search engine | |
| Social media | |
| Social media | |
| YouTube | Video platform |
| Social media | |
| The New York Times | News |
| BBC | News |
In place of these major blocked services, Chinese companies have created alternative domestic versions like Baidu, Youku, Weibo, and WeChat. However, these all must comply with Chinese censorship requirements.
Does China Have a Separate Internet?
The “Great Firewall” system creates a strong separation between China’s internet and the rest of the global internet. But China is not totally disconnected.
Some key points on whether China has its own truly independent internet:
- China still relies on root DNS servers and other internet infrastructure located outside the country.
- Chinese ISPs peer with foreign ISPs, although bandwidth is throttled and traffic heavily filtered.
- Many foreign sites and services are blocked, but not all. Stuff that complies with censorship rules is accessible.
- VPNs provide access to foreign sites, although VPN usage is discouraged and penalized.
- Most Chinese internet traffic stays domestic, but global connectivity remains in a limited form.
Overall, China does not have a completely separate internet – it just has a national intranet that is heavily firewalled off from the rest of the world. The “Great Firewall” attempts to control and limit access points rather than completely disconnect China.
Why Does China Censor the Internet?
The Chinese government implements internet censorship for several key reasons:
- Control access to information and limit criticism of the government.
- Maintain social stability by restricting content deemed politically destabilizing.
- Promote narratives and propaganda that support the Communist Party.
- Block foreign influence and strengthen Chinese cultural control.
- Crack down on dissent by controlling communication networks.
Essentially, the censorship system is designed to allow the Chinese government to closely monitor and control information, culture, and political discourse online.
Impacts of China’s Internet Censorship
China’s “Great Firewall” has a number of important effects, both within China and globally:
- Chinese citizens have limited access to information and foreign media perspectives.
- Foreign companies must agree to censorship to operate in China, so global internet freedom is reduced.
- China’s economy may be slowed by lack of access to open, global internet innovation and competition.
- Chinese censorship technology is exported to other repressive regimes like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
- Chinese people have flocked to homegrown sites and apps like WeChat, but lack user privacy protections.
While China defends censorship as necessary for stability and sovereignty, critics argue the closed internet harms Chinese innovation, economic growth, and human rights.
The Future of China’s Internet Censorship
China’s internet censorship system is already extensive, but the government continues to expand its capabilities:
- Improved AI and big data analytics to better monitor and analyze traffic flows across the Great Firewall.
- Restricting the use of VPNs to access foreign sites and information.
- Tighter regulation of Chinese tech companies to share data and enforce censorship on their platforms.
- New cybersecurity laws to further control online activities and enforce real-name registration.
- Pushing technologies like blockchain and 5G to increase surveillance capabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic also provided justification for increased censorship and digital authoritarianism in the name of public health and safety.
Can the Great Firewall Be Circumvented?
Chinese internet users have found ways around the Great Firewall, but it is becoming harder:
- VPNs were popular to access sites like Google and Facebook, but VPN crackdowns have increased.
- “Shadowsocks” proxies and encrypted connections provide alternative paths across the firewall.
- Some use Telegram or Tor to establish anonymous communication channels.
- Foreign SIM cards can access global cell data when inserted into Chinese smartphones.
However, Chinese cyber police closely monitor and block proxy services and VPNs. Penalties and arrests for accessing banned foreign sites have heightened fears.
For most ordinary citizens, circumventing the Great Firewall has become too risky without specialized technical knowledge. And the censorship technology continues to become more sophisticated and multilayered.
Conclusion
China does not have a completely separate, independent internet – it remains connected to the global internet, albeit in a highly controlled and firewalled fashion. The “Great Firewall” attempts to selectively block foreign sites and traffic from entering China across its digital borders.
This system of censorship and monitoring creates a Chinese national intranet reinforced by government regulation and surveillance. But some limited pathways across the digital divide still remain open, though contested and obscured.
The Great Firewall reflects the Chinese government’s view of internet sovereignty and the importance of controlling information flows. China will likely continue strengthening its firewall given the perceived political and cultural importance, despite economic and innovation costs.