China’s National Internet ID Proposal Sparks Heated Debate Amid Political Sensitivity

China’s proposal to introduce a national internet ID system has ignited widespread controversy, particularly on social media platforms. Critics argue that this move will further stifle online expression, raising significant concerns about freedom of speech and government control.

The controversy emerges at a politically sensitive moment, coinciding with the Chinese Communist Party’s annual Beidaihe meeting. This gathering of current leaders and retired elders takes place at the seaside resort in Hebei province, where significant political and economic policies are often discussed.

On July 26, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released draft regulations requiring internet users to obtain cyberspace IDs before accessing the internet. The MPS oversees police organizations, while the CAC serves as the country’s internet regulator. Public comments on the draft regulations are being solicited for a month, but the core elements of the proposal are expected to remain unchanged when implemented.

Under the proposed system, users will be issued unified digital IDs to be used instead of real names when creating online accounts. The draft regulations emphasize that obtaining these IDs will be voluntary and aim to prevent the excessive collection and retention of personal information by platform companies.

Despite these assurances, the proposal has faced intense backlash, particularly on social media. Many netizens and experts critical of the government argue that the public comment process is merely a formality and that the system will ultimately increase government control over the internet. Critical comments have gone viral, only to be deleted by authorities, with remnants indicating that the content violated China’s cybersecurity law, enacted in June 2017.

Critics fear that platform companies will eventually comply with government demands, excluding those without internet IDs from accessing online services. They also warn that the system could lead to the complete integration of personal data, currently collected separately by different platforms, increasing the risk of severe damage if this data were to leak.

Some opponents believe the internet ID system will enable the state to monitor and control all online information, drawing parallels to the dystopian surveillance depicted in George Orwell’s “1984.” One critic’s online post, which has since been deleted, claimed that the protection of personal information is a pretext for restricting online opinions.

There are concerns that stricter internet controls could lead to widespread frustration, akin to the protests in 2022 that resulted in the end of China’s zero-COVID lockdowns. During the pandemic, health code apps were used to enforce movement restrictions, leading to significant public discontent.

The “white paper” movement, which emerged in response to the lockdowns, saw students and unemployed youth protesting against the government’s policies. These demonstrations, which included calls for President Xi Jinping’s resignation, eventually led to the lifting of lockdown measures, although participants were later targeted by authorities.

Recently, a similar protest occurred in Hunan province, where a banner criticizing Xi was hung from a pedestrian bridge, echoing the 2022 Sitong Bridge incident in Beijing. These acts of defiance highlight the growing public dissatisfaction and the challenges facing the Chinese government in maintaining control.

Despite the term “draft regulations,” the internet ID plan is expected to proceed due to the involvement of two of Xi’s close aides: Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security. Both are key figures in the Fujian faction, a major political group supporting Xi’s consolidation of power.

Cai’s appearance at Beidaihe on Saturday for a meeting with experts signaled the start of this year’s gathering. As the Politburo Standing Committee members remain out of the public eye, discussions at Beidaihe will shape major political and economic policies with global implications.

It remains uncertain how the ongoing Beidaihe meeting will impact the internet ID proposal, with any significant decisions likely to emerge gradually and only in vague terms.