The following document is a draft PRC government plan for the near-term development of China’s cybersecurity industry. The plan names a host of specific cybersecurity technologies that the Chinese government is encouraging PRC companies to pursue. China allowed the public to comment on this draft plan, but only for a four-day period in July 2021.

The Chinese source text for the announcement of the opinion solicitation period is available online at: https://www.miit.gov.cn/gzcy/yjzj/art/2021/art_34f89fff961b4862bf0c393532e2bf63.html

The Chinese source text of the draft plan itself is available online at: https://www.miit.gov.cn/cms_files/filemanager/1226211233/attach/20217/0e5071815ec641be9e2154566c09fe33.wps

U.S. $1 ≈ 6.5 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB), as of July 27, 2021.

In order to thoroughly implement the strategic decisions and deployments of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and the State Council on [making China into] a manufacturing powerhouse (制造强国)¹ and a cyber powerhouse (网络强国), implement the relevant requirements of the Outline of the People’s Republic of China 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035,² accelerate the promotion of the high-quality development of the cybersecurity industry, and enhance the comprehensive strength of the cybersecurity industry, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has drafted the Three-Year Action Plan for the High-Quality Development of the Cybersecurity³ Industry (2021-2023) (Draft for Solicitation of Opinions). In order to hear further opinions of all sectors of society, it is hereby publicized. If you have any comments or suggestions, please provide feedback before (Friday) July 16, 2021.

Address: Cybersecurity Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 13 West Chang’an Street, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal Code: 100804). On the envelope, please indicate “Feedback on the Three-Year Action Plan for the High-Quality Development of the Cybersecurity Industry (2021-2023) (Draft for Comments).”

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

July 12, 2021

Three-Year Action Plan for the High-Quality Development of the Cybersecurity Industry

(2021-2023)

(Draft for Solicitation of Opinions)

As an emerging digital industry, the cybersecurity industry encompasses the cybersecurity technology, product production, and service activities that safeguard national cybersecurity (网络空间安全) and development interests, and it is a basic guarantee for building [China into] a manufacturing powerhouse and a cyber powerhouse. In recent years, China’s cybersecurity industry has made positive progress, especially with the rapid development of new technologies, new lines of business (新业务), and new models, such as 5G, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), the Industrial Internet, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and with the vigorous growth of technologies, products, and services such as cybersecurity and data security. This action plan has been formulated in order to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thinking on [building China into] a cyber powerhouse, implement the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, and the Outline of the People’s Republic of China 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035, accelerate the construction of an ecosystem for healthy and orderly industrial development with strong innovation capabilities and an optimized industrial structure, high supply quality, and a sufficient release of pent-up demand, in-depth industry integration and collaboration, and a cadre of professional talent, propel the cybersecurity industry towards achieving the high-quality development goals of advanced technology and developed industries, and to continuously improve national cybersecurity assurance capabilities.

I. Overall Requirements

(1) Guiding Ideology

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenums of the 19th CCP Central Committee. Be firmly grounded in the new stage of development (新发展阶段), implement the new development concept (新发展理念), and construct the new development pattern (新发展格局). Coordinate development with security. Actively grasp the development opportunities of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization and accelerate the advancement of supply-side structural reform with the goal of promoting the high-quality development of the cybersecurity industry. Take as the main thread driving high-quality supply with effective demand, and fully stimulate the vitality of technological innovation. Give full play to the supporting roles of various forms of capital and strengthen support and assurance for multiple levels of talent. Promote the coordinated development of innovation chains, production chains, and value chains, cultivate a healthy and orderly industrial ecosystem, and lay a solid foundation for building a manufacturing powerhouse and a cyber powerhouse.

For the rest of the translation, download the PDF below.

1. Translator’s note: The Chinese word qiángguó (强国) is translated as “powerhouse” throughout this translation. Qiángguó literally means “strong nation”; an alternative translation is “superpower.” Alternate translations of the term wǎngluò qiángguó (网络强国)—translated throughout as “cyber powerhouse”—include “cyber superpower,” “internet powerhouse,” “internet superpower,” “network powerhouse,” and “network superpower.” For a more thorough discussion in English of the terms qiángguó and wǎngluò qiángguó, see: https://www.newamerica.org/cybersecurity-initiative/digichina/blog/lexicon-wangluo-qiangguo/
2. Translator’s note: CSET’s English translation of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan Outline is available online at: https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/china-14th-five-year-plan/
3. Translator’s note: For consistency, the Chinese term wǎngluò ānquán (网络安全) is translated as “cybersecurity” throughout this translation. Depending on context, wǎngluò ānquán can also mean “network security” or “internet security.”