Domain Name Registration: Amendments Proposed

The surge in Internet surfer population from a few thousand in 1997 to nearly 20 million has made regulations of domain name registration issued in 1997 look, indeed, outdated. Some proposed amendments have been worked out thanks to China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the national watchdog over domain name registration and management.

According to these amendments, authorities will:

  • 1. Relax restrictions on domain name selections -- only those deemed harmful to public interests will be banned.


  • 2. Simplify registration procedures -- all applications will be made online.


  • 3. Grant individuals the right to register domain names.


  • 4. Allow transfer of domain names.


  • 5. Set up mechanisms to settle disputes on the registration and use of .cn names.


  • 6. Separate registration from management.


  • 7. Lower charges.


    • The amendments, if adopted, are expected to come into effect early this year.

    CNNIC said it is conducting a new online survey on Internet development in China. It has done six since 1997. A report on the latest survey will be released on January 15, the center said.



    According to the latest statistics provided by NSI, there have been more than 10 million websites in the world which are suffixed by "com", "net", "org", etc. The Asia-Pacific region saw the fastest growth in domain name registration in 2000. China leaped to the 11th placing in the world in this connection. Among the cities with the most registered domain names, Hong Kong ranked fourth, and Beijing, 10th.


    Source: chinadaily.com.cn


    People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/