Internet Filtering in China in 2004 2005 

access.

43

 The State Secrecy Bureau classifies state secrets, which all citizens are required to  safeguard. 

44

Finally, the Central Propaganda Department ensures that Chinese publishers print only material 

consistent with the Communist Party's ideology; the Department uses directives, screenings, and training 

sessions for publishers and their employees to accomplish this goal.

45

2. Internet Access Regulation 

China implements access controls for ISPs, ICPs, Internet subscribers, and cybercafe users.  

Access control has always been part of China's Internet filtering system: in February 1994, one year before 

the Internet became commercially available to Chinese users, the State Council gave the Minister of Public 

Security overall responsibility for supervision of the Internet.

46

Regulation of Internet access has grown more comprehensive, specific, and extensive recently.  

On March 2, 2000 the State Council promulgated  Interim Procedures on Registration and Filing of 

Online Business Operations 

47

 which, for the first time, explicitly recognized on line businesses and 

required them to register and submit information on their personnel for  information checks. 

48

  In 

September 2000, the  Interim Measures on the Administration of Record and Registration of Profit 

making Websites  formalized registration procedures, instituted annual inspections of on line businesses, 

and required all such businesses to list their registration number prominently on their Web sites.  In 

addition, the State Council issued Order No. 292,  Measures on Internet Information Services,  on 

September 25, 2000.

49

  This order reiterated and strengthened provisions contained in previous 

legislation, while establishing increased levels of control and enforcement.  Specifically, Order 292 

attempted to differentiate Web sites that provide information  involving the journalism, publication, 

education, medical care, medicines, and medical equipment and so on     both for profit and non profit    

from other Internet businesses.

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a. ISPs 

ISPs that want to provide service in China must obtain an operating license from MII.

51

  Access 

providers must record a customer's account number, phone number, and IP address, and Internet content 

43

 See Human Rights Watch, Freedom of Expression and the Internet in China, at 

http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/china bck 0701.htm; see also Congressional   Executive Commission on 

China, China's Censors, at http://www.cecc.gov/pages/virtualAcad/exp/expcensors.php. 

44

 State Security Law, Feb. 22, 1993, translation available at http://www.cecc.gov/pages/virtualAcad/exp/explaws.php; 

see Congressional   Executive Commission on China, China's Censors. 

45

 Congressional   Executive Commission on China, China's Censors. 

46

 Regulations for the Safety Protection of Computer Information Systems, State Council Order No. 147. 

47

 Interim Procedures on Registration and Filing of Online Business Operations, State Council, Mar. 2, 2000. 

48

 Interim Procedures on Registration and Filing of Online Business Operations, Article 6; see Clara Liang, Red Light, 

Green Light: Has China Achieved Its Goals Through the 2002 Internet Regulations?, 35 Vand. J. Transnat'l L. 1417, 

1433 (2001). 

49

 Measures on Internet Information Services, State Council Order No. 292, Sept. 25, 2000, translation from 

iSinoLaw.com. 

50

 Measures on Internet Information Services, Article 5. 

51

 China Online, Ministry Profile: Ministry of Information Industry (MII), archived at 

http://web.archive.org/web/20031211153108/http://www.chinaonline.com/refer/ministry_profiles/MIIL3.asp. 

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