China appoints new Internet regulator

New head: China has appointed Xu Lin to head the Cyberspace Administration of China. Xu Lin has publicly vowed to maintain the ruling Communist Party's tight grip over cyberspace. — Reuters

BEIJING: China on June 29 appointed a new head of its powerful Internet regulator, a man who has publicly vowed to maintain the ruling Communist Party's tight grip over cyberspace.

The Chinese Government exercises widespread controls over the Internet and has sought to codify that policy in law. Officials say such restrictions are needed to ensure security in the face of rising threats, such as terrorism.