for which they have obtained permission or which they have placed on the record. They may not provide
services outside the scope of those items for which they have obtained permission or which they have placed
on the record.
Providers of non-commercial internet-based information services may not engage in the provision of
compensated services.
When an internet-based information service provider changes such matters as the services that it provides or
the URL(s) of its website(s), it shall go through change procedures with its original examination, approval and
permit issuing authority or record-filing authority 30 days in advance.
Article 12 Internet-based information service providers shall post their Operating Permit numbers or
record-filing numbers in a prominent place on the homepage of their websites.
Article 13 Internet-based information service providers shall provide good services to online subscribers and
ensure that the information that they provide is lawful.
Article 14 Internet-based information service providers that engage in the provision of such services as news,
publishing or electronic bulletin board services shall keep a record of the information they provide, the times
of dissemination and the URLs or domain names. Internet access service providers shall keep a record of such
information as the times online subscribers are online, the subscribers' account numbers, the URLs or
domain names, and the callers' telephone numbers.
Internet-based information service providers and internet access service providers shall keep copies of such
records for 60 days and shall provide them to the relevant authorities of the State when the latter make
inquiries in accordance with the law.
Article 15 Internet-based information service providers may not produce, reproduce, disseminate or
broadcast information with content that:
1. opposes the fundamental principles determined in the Constitution;
2. compromises state security, divulges state secrets, subverts state power or damages national unity;
3. harms the dignity or interests of the State;
4. incites ethnic hatred or racial discrimination or damages inter-ethnic unity;
5. sabotages state religious policies or propagates heretical teachings or feudal superstitions;
6. disseminates rumors, disturbs social order or disrupts social stability;
7. propagates obscenity, pornography, gambling, violence, murder or fear or incites the commission of
crimes;
8. insults or slanders a third party or infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party; or
9. includes other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.
Article 16 If an internet-based information service provider discovers information transmitted through its
website that clearly falls within the scope of the contents enumerated in Article 15 hereof, it shall
immediately stop the transmission thereof, save the relevant records and make a report thereon to the
relevant authority of the State.
Article 17 If a provider of commercial internet-based information services applies to be listed in China or
abroad or to establish an equity or cooperative joint venture with a foreign investor, it shall first be examined
by, and obtain the consent of, the State Council's department in charge of the information industry. The ratio
of the foreign investment shall comply with the relevant laws and administrative regulations.
Article 18 The State Council's department in charge of the information industry and the telecommunications
administration authorities of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central
Government shall supervise and administer internet-based information services in accordance with the law.
Such relevant competent authorities as those in charge of press, publications, education, public health,
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