No one in his or her right mind can deny the tremendous impact of the internet upon every aspect of our daily lives. However, the easy and wide access of the internet has raised major concerns among the majority of people in general and governments in particular.The fundamental dilemma that is faced by most governments deals with the boundaries that should be established to control the accessibility of the internet.

China has been continuously criticized for restricting the use of the internet out of concern for the safety of its citizens and its national security. It has to deal with several essential questions such as "Should all venues of the internet be available to everyone? How can it protect the individuality and privacy of its citizens if anyone can access pertinent details about their personal lives through common sites of the cyberspace? How could it prevent exposing Chinese children to pornography and corrupting content?"

It is common knowledge that the internet created a shrewd category of criminals who victimize the vulnerable and na?ve users of the internet. The Chinese government has taken proper measures to accomplish its objective of minimizing the risks of using the internet to secure the lives of its citizens and to protect its regime.

Recently, China took major steps to join the ranks of developed countries benefitting from full access of the internet starting with President Xi's powerful speech to the symposium on cyber-security on April 19, 2016.

"The competition between major countries on internet security not only depends on technology but also on concepts and public opinions," said President Xi, emphasizing the importance of internet security and its dependency on technology, concepts and public opinions. He indicated that China must compete with major powers on ensuring the security of its cyberspace, saying that "China cannot and will not shut its door to the world." President Xi stressed the fact that China must open its doors to the world as an essential key to its internet development.

"We welcome foreign internet enterprises as long as they abide by Chinese laws and regulations," he continued.

Since the internet is accessible to users worldwide, it is very important to provide them with a healthy and clear cyberspace with high quality content through positive voices while reinforcing noble and virtuous views.

As a foreigner who has been living in China for more than twelve years, I found President Xi's speech at the symposium to be frank and refreshing.

He stated the facts regarding the importance of finding a balance between satisfying people's need to have the freedom to access all venues of the internet while protecting their safety, individuality and privacy.

He admitted frankly the shortcomings of the Chinese internet enterprises and their lack of collaboration in the fields of research and shortcomings in allowing the free flow of talent between them.

President Xi humbly confessed that China is lagging behind in the cyberspace security but that his government is taking major steps to alter that by joining the major countries in that domain.

From discussions with foreigners and from the social media that is available to expats, it is clear that foreigners in China were delighted by the openness and honesty of the speech given by President Xi.

Hopefully, Chinese internet firms and the Chinese authorities were paying enough attention to implement the constructive suggestions of their president.

Sava Hassan is a Canadian Egyptian author, poet and educator. He had published three books and written numerous articles on various topics in Canada, USA and China. Currently, he is residing and teaching in China.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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