Network security should be strengthened through legislation to pave the way for the development of Internet-based industries -- especially electronic commerce, industry insiders and local governmental officials have urged.

"Although there are already some Internet-related regulations, they are not unified and do not meet the new changes brought by latest information technology development," said Sun Pishu, president of the Shandong Langchao Group, an information technology company.

Network security refers to the protection of computer users' information and systems.

A decision to guarantee Internet security was released by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in 2000. It is the latest uniformed legal document on the issue.

Sun suggested the NPC Standing Committee should draft a law on information technology security. It has reflected the feelings of many deputies to the recently held 10th NPC.

Li Zhihai, mayor of Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province, shared Sun's views.

He said online taxation, insurance, contract signing, electronic payments, financial management and personal information needed legal protection.

Wang Qian, chairman of the Xi'an-based Weilai International Software Company in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said that current disputes over e-commerce issues could only be solved through negotiation, instead of court decisions.

"It is because electronically signed treaties are not recognized by the current Contract Law," she noted.

While sources with the NPC said it was not an appropriate time for legislation on network security, they gave no further details.

Written proposals from NPC deputies Sun, Li and Wang, with other motions on networks, e-commerce and information technology legislation, were expected to be sent to relevant authorities, the Ministry of Information Industry or the Ministry of Public Security for disposal.

The authorities will give a written reply to deputies in three months after researching the issues, said Chen Ying, an official with the motion section of the first session of the 10th NPC, which ended earlier this month.

The Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress issued a regulation on e-commerce trade in February, marking a milestone for China's e-commerce legislation.

(China Daily March 31, 2003)