China's new cyber security law, which goes into effect on Thursday, is not intended to manage foreign websites or restrict the free flow of information, the country's internet regulator said on Wednesday.

China warned against infringement of its cyber sovereignty under the pretext of providing free flow of information. Preventing illegal information from entering the country does not contradict supporting the free flow of information, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said in a statement.

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"In the real world, all enterprises or individuals are required to observe the laws of the countries they enter, and cyberspace should be no exception," said the statement.

The internet is strictly controlled in China and the country has banned the spread of illegal information via technical or other means. This embodies the country's cyber sovereignty and is a requirement for safeguarding national security and protecting the interests of its citizens, said the CAC.

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In addition, the law stipulates that Internet service providers should increase control on information released by their users and immediately stop the spread of information deemed illegal.

The regulation will not infringe privacy nor restrict free speech online, the CAC said, adding that the regulation targets information already made public by Internet users not their personal communications.

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The CAC reiterated that authorities aim to prohibit the spread of illegal information rather than impede free speech.

The law was passed in November 2016 at a bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee after a third reading.