From Xinhua Chongqing via Yulun Jiandu, translated by CDT:
Yesterday, a directive proposed by Chongqing City‘s Public Security Bureau passed at the legal office of the municipal government. The “notice on strengthening registry management of the Internet,” as the directive is called, requires any organizations or individuals who access the Internet, dial-up or broadband, should register with the local public security agencies. Punishments for violators range from a warning to stay-off-Internet for up to six months.
The city’s public security bureau cited the dramatic growth of Internet-related crime cases, rising 1,000 every year, as their basis to carry out Net crime crack down at a greater intensity.
There are around 1 million Internet users in the city. New applicants to Internet services are required to file a registry with the authorities within 30 days. Any change of subscription is also supposed to be reported. Existing netizens should register by Oct. 30 this year, the notice says. [Full Text in Chinese]
See also Chongqing police say all Internet users must register by October 30 or face fines and denial of web access by China Media Project.
See also a Xinhua bulletin about government urging 3,000 web sites to register with the authorities (in Chinese)
Also a commentary critical of the Internet registry system in China from People Net via Yulun Jiandu:
The registry system is an endorsement of greater government power, and creates a gray area where money-power transaction and corruption breeds. The logic behind it: you guys all have to get my (gov’s) permission; if not, you are acting illegally and I can punish you
This is not like what public servants are supposed to be doing: to go into the masses and serve them.
The registry system should be changed into notification system. Citizens have the right to choose to notify the government what they are doing or not. Cracking down on crime is a need for both the citizens and the government. But the public security authorities should not ask everybody to register with them on surfing the Internet. The key, however, should be the Internet service operators, who make a profit in the Internet business and are obliged to cooperate with the public security agencies in cracking down on Internet crime. [Full Text in Chinese]
