China Implements Stricter Rules on Military Information Online

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China has introduced comprehensive new regulations to restrict the dissemination of military information online, effective March 1, 2025. The initiative, announced by President Xi Jinping, aims to bolster national security amid heightened global tensions and come as the country expands and modernizes its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to compete with U.S. military capabilities.

The rules target various forms of online content related to military affairs, prohibiting the production and sharing of military secrets, defense technology, and undisclosed information. This crackdown is seen to affect Chinese military bloggers and commentators who provide critical insights into troop movements and weapon systems, according to analysts like Joseph Wen, who note an increasing opacity in information dissemination under the Communist Party.

These regulations are a response to the rise of online open-source intelligence and restrict individual users and military-themed content creators from sharing sensitive military details. Experts, including James Char, indicate that while some content has previously been censored, the new rules will formalize these restrictions and further maintain official narratives surrounding China's military developments.

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