The 863 Project was initiated in March 1986 as China’s response to the Reagan Administration’s Strategic Defense Initiative/"Star Wars." (32) The 863 concentrates government investment in seven distinct areas, including information technology, which have military and state security applications...Jean Chrétien announced that Nortel Networks and Tsinghua would establish a joint research laboratory. (37) A primary goal of the research laboratory was to accelerate the development of networking expertise in China.
Again, we are shown that China is happy to use the new technologies for dual/triple purposes. Attempting to "make the world a better place" over there can quickly backfire, if you're not careful enough. Most of the stuff discussed really has triple applications. The IT resources they have can be used for civilian, security (anti-dissident), and military (voice recognition, command & control, more effective surveillance/eavesdropping, and network tampering/cyber warfare). I am sure the surveillance systems developed by Nortel etc. will also find their way into the hands of ChiCom operatives/agents and embassies in the US and abroad.
Regional centres for Internet security under the control of the MPS, dedicated to maintaining such URL lists, are springing up throughout China
This is total speculation but such a move may have two purposes. One, is to conduct more effective detailed surveillance. Second, may be to spead out the network so that if it was attacked several sites would have to be 'taken out' rather than focusing one or a couple of central localities. network of UK manufactured surveillance cameras, designed to monitor traffic flows and regulate congestion. These cameras recorded everything that transpired in the months leading up to the tanks rolling into the square. In the days that followed, these images were repeatedly broadcast over Chinese state television. Virtually all the transgressors were identified in this way... The dynamics of this process: continuously upgrading technology and incorporating functions unintended by the design.
Manufacturers have seen a history of the ChiCom's 'misusing' the technology, yet they continue to "make the world a better place" for the average Chinese. I would prefer that they don't bother trying to make my world a better place. If the 'proximity id card' scam is ever set-up where I live, I think I will become absent minded and seem to loose a lot of cards.