China established its first cyber security public organization on Friday, which it said was aimed at better safeguarding national cyber security and guide Internet companies to perform their duties.

The CyberSecurity Association of China, which was established in Beijing and consists of academic institutes, individuals and Internet companies including Chinese Internet giant Tencent and popular Internet security company Qihu 360, will focus on promoting self-discipline in the industry, accelerating the establishment of industry standards and cyber security studies and participating in international cooperation.

During Friday's launch ceremony, Wang Xiujun, deputy director of the China Administration of Cyberspace, the country's Internet regulator, said that she hoped the association could emphasize on safeguarding the country's Internet security and building up China as an Internet power, while attracting more cutting-edge cyber security enterprises and talent to enhance the industry's authority.

Li Yuxiao, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace who was appointed the secretary-general of the association, told the Global Times that the association will help share information about cyber security among its members and formulate the industry's technology standards.

"For example, as cloud computing and big data have become prevalent nowadays, are there any security problems about these systems? Our association will help formulate the standards for these services," said Li.

Meanwhile, Li stressed that the association will focus on cultivating cyber security talents across the country and establish key programs in Chinese universities.

In February, China launched its first special fund for cyber security with  initial capital of 300 million yuan ($46 million) to realize the nation's strategic goal of becoming a strong Internet power.

The fund, established by the China Internet Development Foundation, will be used to provide financial assistance to experts and teachers who specialize in cyber security.

At the fund's launch, Vice Minister of Education Lin Huiqing pointed out in that China is offering new majors on cyber security, information countermeasures and confidential management at universities, with the number of such majors surpassing 120 and cyberspace-related majors exceeded 4,800.

Fang Binxing, the new association's president, previously told the Global Times that China began to encourage universities to open cyberspace-related majors in 2015.

According to Li, the association will also supervise Internet companies to better perform their duties.

"For example, they are required to avoid cyber attacks and share information about cyber risks with other companies," said Li.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the international community to cooperate to combat cybercrimes and Internet terrorism in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang held in December, adding that there should no double standards in the safeguarding of cyber security.

Xi said that a secure, stable and prosperous cyberspace was crucial for all countries, especially with the threats of wars, terrorism and other crimes.