Websites' Overseas Listing Needs Government Approval:Minister

It is reported on March 6 that Wu Jichuan, Minister of Information Industry, said Sunday in Beijing that the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry permits commercial websites to list in the international market, but this has to be approved, including approval from the department in charge of business.

Since Internet-related business belongs to value added business of telecommunications, all the websites need approvals granted by the Ministry of Information Industry. It is also reported by Wen Wei Pao Daily of Hong Kong that regulations concerning inland websites' listing overseas will be published in the near future.

When asked whether NETEASE and Sohu have been approved for listing, Wu said his ministry has so far granted no approval to any website for listing.

Wu indicated that currently there is no control system for commercial websites, China supports the development of networks, but they must operate in line with the State's regulations. With regard to the handling of the issue concerning foreign capital participating in the value-added business, Wu said conditions will be available after China's entry into the WTO,.

Earlier, it was rumored that the Ministry of Information Industry required that China Unicom suspend cooperation with Qualcomm in developing CDMA business.

With regard to the question whether the operation of Internet business through wired television implies that mixed operation of wired television business and telecom business is permissible, the minister indicated that wired television is currently under the charge of the State Bureau of Radio, Film and Television, whereas Internet business belongs to telecom value-added business, so mixed operation is currently out of the question. Reporters have been told that regarding this, the department concerned will work out relevant stipulations in the near future.

In regard to the time for the implementation of single items of charge, Wu said that the plan for the single item of charge on mobile telephones has been submitted to the concerned higher authorities for approval. But when will the plan be approved is still unknown.

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