China’s technical internet controls are complemented and reinforced by public messaging that frames them as necessary protection for the country’s citizens. As well as justifying the controls’ existence, this messaging supports their function by deterring people from even attempting the kinds of activities that might otherwise be blocked. In this way, the messaging itself is an integral part of the dynamic, layered overall control system. The example translated below was published by the military-affiliated National Defense Times on April 15. It portrays the wild Western internet as a wretched hive of scum and villainy, mirroring other official messaging on physical travel abroad.
The legal status of VPNs and other circumvention tools is less clear-cut in practice than the article suggests, with enforcement having tended to focus heavily on service providers rather than users. The reference to people held in Southeast-Asian scam compounds is notable: Chinese authorities have faced some criticism for failing to do enough to combat these criminal enterprises. Here, the “Great Firewall” is presented as a protective measure that those lured into the compounds had deliberately rejected. The enthusiastic use of so-called “scare quotes” is also a prominent feature of the article, and of official messaging as a whole.
The world’s so big! I want to go see it all. Gaming is more fun on overseas servers! I want to go play on them. There are so many great online resources overseas! I want to go search through them. Foreigners are so friendly online! I want to go chat with them. Foreign websites are awesome! I want to go take a look. How can I do this? By “scaling the wall.” Public security warning: Hold it right there! You’re breaking the law.
Article 6 of the [1996] Interim Provisions of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of International Networking of Computer Information Networks states: “computer information networks directly connecting to international networks must use entry and exit channels provided by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications’ national public telecommunications network. No work unit or individual may independently establish or employ other channels for cross-border network connections. Relevant rules in the Party’s internal disciplinary regulations and related statutes also expressly prohibit Party members and cadres from engaging in the unlawful act of “scaling the wall.”
But what is “scaling the wall”? The “wall” in question refers to the “National Public Network Monitoring System” (GFW), commonly known as China’s national firewall. “Scaling the wall” or “net-breaking” refers to users employing virtual private network (VPN) technology to evade state network oversight, breaking through the firewall’s IP blocks, content filters, DNS hijacking, traffic restrictions, etc. for activities such as accessing overseas websites in violation of national law. More simply, “scaling the wall” means using special tricks to bypass domestic internet restrictions and access blocked or otherwise restricted foreign websites. Deliberate or not, it constitutes an illegal act.
Why is “scaling the wall” prohibited? Just look at the news. In February 2025, Chinese and Thai police successfully rescued 61 victims, including 39 Chinese citizens, who had been lured to scam compounds in Myanmar. Most of these victims had illegally “scaled the wall” with VPNs to register on foreign social media platforms like Telegram, where they were lured abroad by fake ads promising “high-paying customer support work in Thailand, with flights reimbursed.” Upon reaching the border, they were trafficked to scam compounds in Myanmar by snakeheads, held captive, tortured with electric shocks, and forced to defraud their own families.
Broadly speaking, there are three main dangers in “scaling the wall.” First, one can easily fall into “political traps.” As China’s international status has risen, nearly all foreign countries have websites specifically targeting Chinese citizens, publishing so-called alternative political history, shocking exposés, and exclusive scoops with ulterior motives. “Scaling the wall” to browse these sites, one can easily be led astray by reactionary discourse, decadent thinking, and erroneous ideology, and become a conduit for false views, a porter for disinformation, or even a mouthpiece for hostile forces, acting in ways that jeopardize national political security.
Second, one can easily be lured into “collusion traps.” Due to the internet’s highly virtual and anonymous nature, and the continuous emergence of new “wall-scaling” tools, the net has become another key battlefront for recruitment and subversion by our enemies. State security departments have exposed many recent cases of foreign spies conspiring to steal our secrets, incidents in which our own people illegally “scaled the wall,” were ensnared in traps that had been laid for them, and ended up falling into criminality.
Third, one can easily sink into “illegality traps.” Foreign websites are saturated with obscene, violent, and vulgar content, as well as links to gambling, drugs, and money-lending sites. The moment you “scale the wall,” you’re vulnerable to exploitation by foreign criminal elements and risk being drawn into activities that can lead to prosecution, such as online gambling, illegal money-lending, drugs, soliciting prostitutes, etc.
The consequences of “scaling the wall” and net-breaking can be severe. In legal terms, illegal “wall-scaling” may violate sections of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China pertaining to the crimes of espionage or illegal provision of state secrets or intelligence; or may violate the Espionage Law of the People’s Republic of China or the Interim Provisions of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of International Networking of Computer Information Networks, incurring a prison sentence or substantial fine. In terms of [Party] discipline, illegal “wall-scaling” is subject to punishment under the Regulations on Disciplinary Action of the Communist Party of China or the [PLA] Disciplinary Regulations. At the individual level, this kind of legal or disciplinary violation will become part of your personal record, a black mark that will follow you for your whole life, and may even exact a heavy toll at critical junctures in your children’s lives, affecting their eligibility to enlist in the army or qualify for the civil service exam or civil service employment.
The way to avoid the dangers of “scaling the wall” is essentially with “a wall in your heart”: strengthen your awareness of enemy presence, maintain political vigilance, hone your ability to discern right from wrong, and never forget: “The internet harbors traps and harbors enemies, and is subject to politics and subject to discipline.” The key is adherence to the rules: obey the laws and regulations, regulate your online activity, and strengthen your awareness of legitimate net use. Make sure to avoid clicking or visiting links from unclear sources; registering for, purchasing, or using “wall-scaling” extensions, tools, or software; downloading or using foreign software for registering social-media accounts or joining group chats; downloading or using game accelerators to play international editions of online games; using accelerators or search engines with network proxy functions; and investing or speculating in virtual currencies. Focus on consistency and persistence. Strengthen network management, and carry out frequent self-inspections: check your app lists for any “wall-scaling” software tools or foreign apps installed on your phone or computer; check game accelerators to see if there are connections to foreign servers; check email for records of overseas account registration; and conscientiously put a stop to all rule-and-regulation-breaking “wall-scaling” and net-breaking activity.
[Xi Jinping said,] “If you can’t pass the test of the internet, you can’t pass the test of our times.” We must maintain a sober awareness that “gambling on not getting caught is never a safe bet.” And we must be especially vigilant against letting habit or complacency turn us into criminal victims or criminal accomplices. Don’t ignorantly or carelessly blunder into a trap, and ensure that in the great online tide, you stand firm instead of being swept off your feet. [Chinese]
