Clause 57

The current government attempt to force all China-based websites to register is being driven the MII — the Ministry of Information Industry.

MII has set up a special registration website at MIIbeian.gov.cn which includes flow charts explaining the process (pictured) and even a page explaining the terms of registration with buttons to accept or reject the terms.

The MII terms include reference to Clause 57 of the Telecommunications Regulations (电信条例第五十七条) which governs content transmitted over electornic networks including mobile phones and the Internet. This is Clause 57:

No organization or individual is permitted to use telecommunications networks to produce, copy, publish or broadcast information containing the following types of content:

1. Opposing the basic principles of the constitution;

2. Endangering national security, divulging national secretes, sedition, wrecking national unity;

3. Harming the reputation and interests of the state;

4. Inciting ethnic hatred, discrimination, destroying ethnic unity;

5. Destroying national religious policies, propagating cults and feudal superstitions;

6. Disseminating rumors, causing social disorder, destroying the stability of society;

7. Disseminating pornography and obscene materials, gambling, violence, murder, terrorism or instigating or abetting crime;

8. Insulting or slandering other people, violating other people’s legal rights;

9. Containing any content forbidden by law or government regulations.