China’s internet watchdog will set up fast lane for businesses to report online slander as economic revival tops list

Cyberspace Administration of China pledge comes at symposium with 10 state-owned and private firms to discuss ways to protect online reputations

Better online conditions for businesses ‘an urgent need’ to ensure industrial and economic security, CAC statement says, warns of ‘harsh’ crackdown

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The move by the Cyberspace Administration of China comes as the country’s leadership focuses on improving the business environment to revive an ailing economy. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:53pm, 2 Jun 2023Updated: 7:12pm, 2 Jun 2023

China’s top internet watchdog has pledged to open a fast lane for business sector complaints related to online slander, as it steps up corporate protections amid a drive to revive the country’s ailing economy.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) made its latest promise at a symposium in Beijing on Wednesday, where 10 state-owned and private companies were invited to discuss ways to better protect businesses from malicious online acts that damage reputations.

This follows the CAC’s three-month special campaign launched at the end of April to ban the online slander of entrepreneurs, targeting websites and accounts that spread false or inaccurate accusations about Chinese companies and their owners or top executives.

CAC deputy director Niu Yibing presided over the symposium and spoke about ways to implement President Xi Jinping’s instructions on improving China’s business environment, according to a statement posted on the agency’s official WeChat account on Thursday.

The CAC would make it easier for companies to report internet slander by setting up a dedicated online reporting channel, the statement said. It also pledged to follow up on whether the websites took prompt and thorough action on the reported rumours and to publicise the outcome.