China mulls new law on cryptography

BEIJING - China's top legislature is considering a new law to promote the steady and sound development of cryptography.

The draft cryptography law was submitted for review to the bi-monthly legislative session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which opened Tuesday.

According to the draft, cryptography is classified into core, common and commercial cryptography. Core and common cryptography are used to protect state secrets, and shall be under the strict and unified administration of the cryptography authorities in accordance with the law.

Commercial cryptography is used to protect information of citizens, legal persons and other organizations in accordance with the law, the draft said.

It stipulates that the state encourages the research, development and application of the commercial cryptography technology and relevant industry.