IP: Beijing FURTHER restricts Net access further

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 09:55:27 -0800
To: farber () central cis upenn edu
From: Stephan Somogyi <somogyi () digmedia com>


> From today's Financial Times; this story can be found at


<http://www.usa.ft.com/news/asia-pac/index.html>


<http://www.ft.com/news/asia-pac/index.html>


- - - - -


Beijing tightens rules on access to Internet


By Tony Walker in Beijing




The Chinese government yesterday announced rules intended to increase
its control over cyberspace by forcing computer networks to use
approved links and forbidding the spread of information that would
"hinder public order".


The official Xinhua news agency said the new Internet regulations,
which required existing computer networks to "liquidate" and
"re-register", were aimed at "improving the management" of
international computer networks.


The rules strengthen the hand of the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications over the Internet - the global computer network -
and other accessible networks, as all will have to be registered with
the ministry.


Chinese computer information networks seeking links with other networks
abroad will be required to use international channels provided by the
MPT. All existing networks will be subject to management by that
ministry, as well as by other bodies, including the ministry of the
electronics industry.


This is the second time in less than a month China has sought to
tighten controls over the flow of information. State council, the
Chinese cabinet, issued an edict last month giving Xinhua exclusive
rights to regulate distribution of economic information by foreign news
agencies.


The new Internet rules specify that organisations or individuals
planning to link up must have "legal person status" and "perfect"
security control systems. This appears to be an attempt to narrow the
criteria for access to interactive networks.


The new rules coincide with the temporary suspension of new
subscriptions to Chinanet, the local gateway to the Internet. There had
been heavy demand from individuals for Chinanet subscriptions.


These regulations also come amid signs of a chillier political wind in
China. Senior officials have been stressing the need to uphold
communist orthodoxy, and railing against "unhealthy tendencies" in
society.


China's propaganda chiefs have made no attempt to hide their concern
about opportunities provided by international computer networks for the
widespread dissemination of information. These networks are seen as a
direct threat to state control of media, which has been a core policy
of communist rule.


"Neither organisations nor individuals are allowed to engage in
activities at the expense of state security and secrets," Xinhua
reported. "They are also forbidden from producing, retrieving,
duplicating and spreading information that may hinder public order, and
obscene and pornographic material."