China sets up Internet information mgmt office

BEIJING, CHINA: The Chinese government announced on Wednesday the setting up of a department to manage Internet information.

The department, known as the State Internet Information Office, will direct, coordinate and supervise online content management and handle administrative approval of businesses related to online news reporting, Xinhua reported.

It will work to implement the policies of Internet communication and direct the development of online gaming, online video and audio businesses and online publication industries.

Besides promoting setting up of major news websites and managing government online publicity work, it will be assigned the duties to investigate and punish websites violating laws and regulations.

It will oversee telecom service providers in their efforts to improve the management of registration of domain names, distribution of IP addresses, registration of websites and Internet access.