Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo study session on propaganda in the age of the internet in January. On March 15, the Party’s top theoretical journal Qiushi published Xi’ Jinpings speech delivered at the meeting, which was reported by the People's Daily. To make sure that the Party controls the narrative online, Xi Jinping emphasised that if the Party can’t control the Internet, it won’t be able to sustain long-term rule.

Stating that the Internet is a tool, Xi Jinping said“If used well, [the internet’s] influence will benefit the country and the people, but if not used well, it could bring unpredictable damage.” He said “[We will] build new types of mainstream media…so that the Party's voice…is transmitted more widely.” Xi Jinping also called for transforming "our advantages…in social governance, big data, and policymaking power to consolidate [the Party’s control over] mainstream ideological thinking and public opinion.”