New policies take effect on Jan 1

China's first cryptography law to take effect

China's first cryptography law, which was passed on Oct 26, is expected to take effect on Jan 1 this year.

Lawmakers approved the law at the closing meeting of a bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which started on Oct 21, after a second review.

The enactment of the law was necessary for regulating the utilization and management of cryptography, facilitating the development of the cryptography business, and ensuring the security of cyberspace and information, according to the NPC Constitution and Law Committee.

According to the law, the state encourages and supports the research and application of the science and technology in cryptography and protects the intellectual property rights in cryptography.

The law outlines the training of talent in cryptography and says that those with outstanding contributions in work on cryptography can be awarded.