Adopted at the 42nd Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 23, 1996, promulgated by Order No. 195 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on February 1, 1996, and effective as of the date of promulgation; amended for the first time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Interim Provisions on the Administration of International Networking of Computer Information Networks of the People’s Republic of China on May 20, 1997; amended for the second time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Amending and Repealing Certain Administrative Regulations on March 10, 2024
Article 1 — These Provisions are formulated to strengthen the administration of the international networking of computer information networks and to safeguard the healthy development of international computer information exchange.
Article 2 — The international networking of computer information networks within the territory of the People’s Republic of China shall be handled in accordance with these Provisions.
Article 3 — For the purposes of these Provisions, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “international networking of computer information networks” (hereinafter “international networking”) means the connection of computer information networks within the territory of the People’s Republic of China with foreign computer information networks for the purpose of international information exchange;
(2) “internetworks” means computer information networks that directly conduct international networking, and “internetworking units” means the units responsible for the operation of internetworks; and
(3) “access networks” means computer information networks that conduct international networking by connecting to internetworks, and “access units” means the units responsible for the operation of access networks.
Article 4 — The State implements the principles of overall planning, unified standards, tiered administration and development promotion with respect to international networking.
Article 5 — The Leading Group for Informatization under the State Council (hereinafter the “Leading Group”) is responsible for coordinating and resolving major issues in international networking work.
The Office of the Leading Group shall formulate specific administrative measures in accordance with these Provisions, specify the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the providers of international entry and exit channels, internetworking units, access units and users, and be responsible for the inspection and supervision of international networking work.
Article 6 — For computer information networks to directly conduct international networking, the international entry and exit channels provided by the national public telecommunications network must be used.
No unit or individual may establish or use other channels on its or their own to conduct international networking.
Article 7 — Internetworks that have already been established shall, after adjustment in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State Council, be administered by the telecommunications competent department of the State Council, the education administrative department and the Chinese Academy of Sciences respectively.
The establishment of new internetworks must be reported to the State Council for approval.
Article 8 — Access networks must conduct international networking through internetworks.
Where an access unit intends to engage in international networking business activities, it shall apply to the competent department or competent unit of the internetworking unit that has the authority to accept applications for engaging in international networking business activities for an international networking business license; where no international networking business license has been obtained, the access unit shall not engage in international networking business.
Where an access unit intends to engage in non-business activities, it shall report to the competent department or competent unit of the internetworking unit that has the authority to accept applications for engaging in non-business activities for examination and approval; where approval has not been obtained, it shall not connect to internetworks for international networking.
When applying for an international networking business license or handling examination and approval procedures, the nature, scope of application and host addresses of the computer information network and other materials shall be provided.
The format of the international networking business license shall be uniformly formulated by the Leading Group.
Article 9 — Access units engaging in international networking business activities and those engaging in non-business activities must all meet the following conditions:
(1) being an enterprise legal person or an institutional legal person established in accordance with the law;
(2) having the corresponding computer information networks, equipment and corresponding technical personnel and management personnel;
(3) having sound security and confidentiality administrative systems and technical protection measures; and
(4) conforming to other conditions prescribed by laws and the State Council.
Article 10 — Where computers or computer information networks used by individuals, legal persons and other organizations (hereinafter collectively “users”) need to conduct international networking, they must conduct international networking through access networks.
Where the computers or computer information networks prescribed in the preceding paragraph need to be connected to access networks, the consent of the access units shall be obtained, and registration procedures shall be completed.
Article 11 — Providers of international entry and exit channels, internetworking units and access units shall establish corresponding network management centers, strengthen the administration of their own units and users in accordance with laws and the relevant provisions of the State, do a good job of network information security administration, and ensure the provision of good and secure services to users.
Article 12 — Internetworking units and access units shall be responsible for the technical training and management education of their own units and users concerning international networking.
Article 13 — Units and individuals engaged in international networking business shall abide by the relevant state laws and administrative regulations, strictly implement the security and confidentiality systems, shall not use international networking to engage in illegal and criminal activities such as endangering national security and disclosing state secrets, and shall not produce, consult, copy or disseminate information that disrupts public order, or obscene and pornographic information.
Article 14 — Where Articles 6, 8 or 10 of these Provisions are violated, the public security organ shall order cessation of networking, give a warning, and may concurrently impose a fine of not more than 15,000 yuan; where there are illegal gains, the illegal gains shall be confiscated.
Article 15 — These Provisions shall come into force as of the date of promulgation.
Disclaimer: This document is an unofficial English translation of the original Chinese text, provided for reference purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Chinese-language version is the sole authoritative text. This translation does not constitute legal advice, and no liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon it. For matters with legal implications, please consult the official Chinese source and seek qualified professional advice.
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