Beijing Issues New Regulations on Internet Bars

Beijing Issues New Regulations on Internet Bars

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Beijing authorities recently launched a three-month campaign to straighten out irregularities in Internet bars, according to Beijing Today newspaper.

The investigation came about after a survey of the cafes in Haidian District found that one establishment was providing access to harmful information, while another Internet company was operating illegally.

ˇˇNew applications for licenses to open Internet cafes will not be approved during the period of examination, according to Zhang Xingyun, head of Market Supervision Department of Beijing Telecom Control Bureau.

ˇˇCurrent Internet service venues should renew registration before June 20. Those businesses which do not obtain new licenses will be regarded as closed. New regulations mandate that licensed venues must post notices regarding rules for Internet use, including time-restriction for under age netizens. Establishments must also list relevant phone numbers for reporting improper practices to the administrative authorities.

ˇˇNew rules also introduced off-limit areas for operating public Internet services. Banned districts include areas within 200 meters of organizations owned by the China central government; middle schools and primary schools; community buildings; and locations along ChangˇŻan Avenue. Star-rated hotels and restaurants, shoppig malls over 5000 sqm. and business centers are excluded from the ban.