Upon returning from China, it’s clear that the Chinese lawyers and everyone interested in law reform there take the internet seriously. There is a great deal of discussion about enacting enabling e-commerce legislation in China, and in growing the number of internet users exponentially in the next five years. Though there is Chinese government censorship, in all reality it doesn’t stop information from getting out and around China and the world. Enough people know how to use internet communications technology (ICT) to serve their purpose. And the Chinese lawyers, judges and government officials our ABF delegation spoke with all commented on the need for harmonizing the rules of law in cyberspace from the beginning of China’s internet growth phase. IBO is committed to work together with Chinese lawyers and lead the project to bring the rule of law to cyberspace and help shape the Online Justice System of the 21st century based on a global culture of colloration.
Last night, I used the SKYPE network to talk with Steven Huang of J & F PRC lawyers in Shanghai about joining and helping lead our China Committee’s e-commerce project. I met Steven’s partner, Scott Guan, in Shanghai in the next to last day of our People to People Rule of Law ‘exchange’ visit to China. Since we are both using SKYPE, we can collaborate for free and IBO now has a leading Shanghia law firm ready to work with us on harmonizing e-contract standards, cybercrime rules, and setting standards for digital identity and trusted online communities.
Truly, a combination of face to face networking, followed by collaborating using ICT, opens up possibilities for the world that will change it for the better.