China’s internet czar charged with corruption

The former head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Lu Wei, has been charged with corruption following allegations of accepting hefty bribes, according to the South China Morning Post.

Previously, Lu served as vice-mayor of Beijing and deputy head of the Communist Party’s propaganda arm.

Lu became a prominent and outspoken figure who defended increasingly strict internet censorship, including cracking down on the virtual private networks used to bypass the ‘Great Firewall of China’, and shutting down the social media accounts of commentators with large followings.

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“As China aspires to become a global cyberpower, Lu could hold the keys to its future, determining whether there will be sufficient oxygen for the 21st century,” his Time profile said. “Almost half of China’s 1.4bn population is online. The US is banking on penetrating the Chinese online market, but the post-Snowden world has meant restricted access.

“Lu is imposing tougher internet regulations because of social stability concerns, which means a new generation of Chinese tech entrepreneurs may find themselves in a culture clash.”

His unexpected resignation from the helm of the agency in June 2016 prompted speculation about the circumstances in which he stepped down, such as a change in Beijing’s strict internet censorship policies.

He was stripped of most responsibilities, remaining as deputy chief of Communist Party propaganda, without a portfolio.

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