Complete ban on VPNs is often just loud noise with little real impact, because the cost of completely cutting off internal and external networks is extremely high. This is mainly constrained by the following four practical needs:

1. Damage to foreign trade economy: Cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade companies rely heavily on international networks and communication with clients, as well as operating overseas platforms. A blanket ban would directly disrupt business and backfire on the macroeconomy.
2. International diplomacy cannot be abandoned: Official media and diplomatic personnel need to speak out on mainstream overseas social platforms, maintain international discourse power, and must not voluntarily give up the microphone of public opinion.
3. Heavy dependence on technological R&D: Domestic researchers and programmers are extremely reliant on international academic databases and global open-source communities (such as GitHub). Cutting off the internet would severely hinder technological innovation and industrial upgrading.
4. The official system also needs it: The vast number of state-owned enterprises expanding overseas, cross-border financial fund dispatch, and global information monitoring by official agencies all require a stable and unrestricted network environment.
VPNs have long been the infrastructure connecting the global system. In the face of practical needs in economy, diplomacy, technology, and official operations, a complete ban is easily likely to trigger serious collateral reactions, which also determines that strict crackdowns are often just a passing storm.
#VPN # Circumventing the Great Firewall