Government and Policy

New info office all about web healthy development

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-05 12:28

BEIJING - China's newly set-up Internet information office aims to better regulate the Internet to ensure its healthy development, said a chief official of the office Thursday.

Although China's Internet sector has witnessed rapid growth since the mid-1990s, some problems, such as online porn and vulgar content, online gambling and fraud as well as illegal online marketing tricks, have been hampering its sound development, the official said.

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Improved regulation measures are needed to deal with these problems, and the setting up of the new office is part of the country's efforts to promote the healthy development of the Internet, the official said.

The official said that the new office will work to strengthen coordination among different authorities and to improve the legal, administrative and technical systems to help regulate the Internet.

China's regulation on Internet in accordance with law accord with international common practice, the official said, adding governments of most countries are employing legal and technical measures as well as industry disciplines to monitor and regulate Internet content and deal with relevant violations of the law.

China's Internet regulation measures are based on solid legal grounds and are conducted in accordance with the law, and information on relevant laws in China are open and transparent to all, the official said.

The official refuted some foreign criticisms on China's Internet regulation, saying that those irresponsible remarks are deliberate and groundless smear plot against China.

The official also noted that the Internet sector in China is developing in an open, lawful and cooperative manner, with the number of users approaching 500 million.

"The Internet has become an important part of the Chinese economy and society... it has great influence and promotes social development as well as the citizens' right to know, to participate, to express and to supervise," the official said.

Moreover, it is playing an increasing role in the enrichment of culture activities in the country.

"These facts indicated that the strategies and policies on Internet development by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Chinese government are proved to be right and effective," the official said.

The Chinese government announced the setting up of the State Internet Information Office on Wednesday.

The office will direct, coordinate and supervise government authorities' management of online content and handle administrative approval of businesses related to online news reporting.

It will work to direct the development of online gaming, video and audio businesses and online publication industries. It is also responsible for investigating websites and punishing them if they violate laws or regulations.

According to a statement of the State Council General Office Wednesday, the State Council will not set up another team for the office but have staff from the State Council Information Office work for the new office as well.

Director of the State Council's Information Office Wang Chen was appointed director of the State Internet Information Office.

Vice director of the State Council Information Office Qian Xiaoqian was appointed vice director of the new office.

Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xi Guohua, and Vice Minister of Public Security Zhang Xinfeng were concurrently appointed vice directors of the office.