E-business law in China: strengths and weaknesses

Srivastava, Aashish; Thomson, Stanley Bruce

E-business law in China: strengths and weaknesses

Author

Srivastava, Aashish

Thomson, Stanley Bruce

Date

2007

Keywords

e‐business, China, signature, electronic signature, security

Abstract (summary)

With 123 million Internet users, China represents a phenomenal potential market for e‐business. The astounding success of China in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) can be partially explained by a series of reforms of policies, regulations, and laws. Can the introduction of China's new electronic signatures law produce the same results for e‐business in China? This paper analyses the electronic signatures law as a tool fashioned by Chinese lawmakers to encourage e‐business growth in China as they encouraged FDI. We find that China has created an electronic signature law that mirrors the open, flexible, and ever‐changing e‐environment. The fact that the law is not technology‐specific, but rather technology‐neutral, allowing for technological advances, is one of its strong points. A negative aspect of the law is its lack of a set guideline for identification requirements for purchasers of a reliable electronic signature, more commonly known as a digital signature, from electronic certification service providers. Despite the few negative aspects, the electronic signatures law should encourage the development of e‐business in China.

Publication Information

Srivastava, A., & Thomson, S. B. (2007). E-Business Law in China: Strengths and Weaknesses. Electronic Markets, 17(2), 126–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/10196780701296121