INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
its grip on the internet to ensure broader social and economic goals are met, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday citing comments
from President Xi Jinping, underlining a hardening attitude towards online content.Under Xi's rule China has increasingly tightened its grip
on the internet, concerned about losing influence and control over a younger generation who are driving a diverse and vibrant online culture
from livestreaming to blogs."Without web security there's no national security, there's no economic and social stability, and it's difficult
to ensure the interests of the broader masses," Xinhua cited Xi as saying."We cannot let the internet become a platform for disseminating
harmful information and stirring up trouble with rumours," he added in comments made at a cyber security conference in Beijing, Xinhua
said.Chinese regulators have been driving a sweeping crackdown on media content, which has been gaining force since last year, spreading a
chill among content makers and distributors.China is also looking to take a leading role globally in internet regulation and technology more
broadly, which has come into sharp focus amid a trade standoff with the United States and an arms race over technology.The United States
banned sales of parts and software to Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE earlier this week, which the Chinese firm said on Friday
chips in many of its smartphones.The ZTE case had "triggered a heated debate" in China about advanced technology, Xinhua said in a separate
report on Saturday, adding mastering high-end technologies such as chips was "key" to becoming a strong nation.Luo Wen, China's deputy
industry minister, said while China had made progress in advance manufacturing in areas like electric vehicles and aviation, it was still
facing challenges due to a lack of top talent and global scale, Xinhua said."Our advanced manufacturing development faces the risk of being
TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
