Originally coined by researchers at CASnet to refer to the NCFC backbone and the subnetworks connected to it, it is now used rather indiscriminately to refer to the overall Internet in China. Recently, the Beijing Telecommunications Agency has begun using the term to refer to its own national networking project. Nevertheless, Internet connectivity and services have begun to grow at an astonishing rate. The importance of global network communications for international business currently outweighs any state concerns about on-line dissident activity. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has been investing billions in upgrading its telecommunications infrastructire, and recently began pouring money into a highspeed backbone known as the Digital Data Network.
Work is currently ahead of schedule.
There are currently three main national networks. A fourth network, with limited international connectivity, is being developed by the Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong.