Xi Jinping Pledges Tougher Action to Curb Online Misconduct, Push for “Clean” Cyberspace

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to “resolutely crack down” on online misconduct and promote a “clean and upright” digital environment, according to state media reports on Saturday. His remarks follow recent penalties issued against several social media platforms over problematic content.

Beijing maintains strict controls over online activity, requiring tech companies to closely moderate user posts and remove anything considered subversive, vulgar, pornographic, or harmful.

In September, China’s top internet watchdog announced enforcement actions against ByteDance-owned news platform Jinri Toutiao and Alibaba’s UCWeb browser for allegedly displaying harmful material.

That same month, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched a two-month campaign targeting “malicious incitement of conflict and the promotion of violence and vicious currents” across online platforms.

State-run Xinhua reported on Saturday that Xi, speaking at a Communist Party meeting held Friday, vowed to ensure a “clean and upright cyberspace.”

According to Xinhua, Xi warned that online misconduct “pollutes social ethos,” though he did not specify which types of content he was referencing.

“We must dare to draw the sword, resolutely crack down on such behaviour, sever the profit and industry chains behind it, and eliminate the soil and conditions that allow it to grow,” Xi said, without providing details on the enforcement mechanisms.

Xi emphasised that regulating the online environment is central to China’s goal of becoming a global cyber power. “It bears on the country’s development and security, as well as the vital interests of the people,” he stated.

In September, CAC also penalised three major digital platforms — Weibo, short-video app Kuaishou, and lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu — accusing them of failing to adequately manage content.

At the time, the CAC said its measures would include “summonses for interviews, injunctions to correct breaches within a specified period, warnings and strict sanctions against those responsible,” though it did not elaborate on specific punishments.

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