"China Internet Domain Name Regulations" has been reviewed and approved on the 8th Minister Working Meeting） of Ministry of Information Industry (MII) on September 28, 2004.
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
China Internet Domain Name Regulations (hereafter the Regulations) are formulated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state and with reference to the international rules for the administration of Internet domain names, with a view to promoting the development of the Internet in China, safeguarding the secure and reliable operation of China Internet Domain Names System and regulating the administration of China Internet domain names System.
Article 2
The Regulations shall be observed in the registration of domain names and in the activities with relation thereto within the territory of the People's Republic of China.
Article 3
The definitions of the following terms mentioned in the Regulations are as follows:
1. Domain Name
Refers to the character identification of hierarchical structure that identifies and locates a computer on the Internet and corresponds to the IP address of this computer.
2. Chinese Domain Name
Refers to the domain name that contains Chinese characters.
3. DNS Root Server
Refers to the server that bears the function of root nodes in the domain name system.
4. Operation Entity of DNS Root Server
Refers to the institution that is responsible for operating, maintaining and administering the DNS root server.
5. Top Level Domain (TLD) Name
Refers to the name of the first level domain under the root node in the domain name system.
6. Domain Name Registry
Refers to the administration institution that is responsible for operating, maintaining and managing certain Top Level Domain Name System.
7. Domain Name Registrar
Refers to certain service institution that accepts applications for registering domain names, directly completes the registration processes in domestic Top Level Domain Name databases; directly or indirectly completes the registration processes in oversea Top Level Domain Name databases.
Article 4
MII is responsible for the administration of the Internet domain names in China. Its main responsibilities are as follows:
1) Formulating the regulations and policies concerning the administration of the Internet domain names;
2) Establishing the system for .CN ccTLD and Chinese domain names;
3) Administering the operational institutions of DNS root servers, which set up and operate the DNS root servers (including mirror servers) within the territory of the People' s Republic of China;
4) Administrating Domain Name Registry and Registrars within the territory of the People’s Republic of China;
5) Supervising and administering domain name registration services;
6) Being responsible for international coordination related to domain names.
Article 5
Any organization or individual shall not take any action to hamper the normal operation of the Internet Domain Name System in China.
Chapter II Administration of Domain Names
Article 6
Internet domain name system in China shall be promulgated by MII in form of proclamation. MII may adjust the Internet domain name system and re-promulgate it according to practical situation.
Article 7
Chinese Domain Name is an integral part of the Domain Names System of China. MII shall encourage and support the technical research, gradual spreading and application of Chinese Domain Names.
Article 8
Setting up any DNS root server or establishing any operational institution of DNS root server within the territory of the People’s Republic of China shall be approved by MII.
Article 9
Any organization that applies for setting up DNS root server or engages in running any DNS root server shall meet the following requirements:
1) It shall have corresponding funds and professional personnel;
2) It shall have the environment and technical capabilities of guaranteeing the reliable operation of DNS root server;
3) It shall have perfect measures for safeguarding the security of the networks and information;
4) It shall meet requirements of the development of the Internet and the stable operation of domain name system;
5) It shall meet other requirements prescribed by Chinese government.
Article 10
Any organization that applies for setting up DNS root server or engages in running any DNS root server shall submit the following documents to MII:
1) The general information of the applicant organization;
2) The situation of the proposed DNS root server;
3) Technical solutions for networks;
4) The certification of the measures for safeguarding the security of networks and information.
Article 11
Any organization that applies for setting up Domain Name Registry or Registrar within the territory of the People’s Republic of China shall be approved by MII.
Article 12
Any organization that applies for running Domain Name Registry shall meet the following requirements:
1) It shall set up top level domain name server (exclude mirror server) within the People's Republic of China, and the corresponding top level domain name shall accord with the global and domestic Internet domain name system;
2) It shall have funds and professional personnel that are suitable for conducting activities related to domain name registration;
3) It shall have good performance and experiences in conducting the Internet domain name related businesses;
4) It shall have the credit standing and ability of providing services in a long-term;
5) It shall have business development plans and the relevant technical solutions;
6) It shall have perfect monitoring mechanism on the domain name registration services and safeguard measures on the networks and information securities;
7) It shall meet other requirements prescribed by Chinese government.
Article 13
A Domain Name Registry applicant shall submit the following documents to MII:
1) Certificate of relevant fund and personnel;
2) Certificate of effectively operating domestic TLD name server;
3) Certificate that may prove the applicant’s credit standing;
4) Business development plan and relevant technical solutions;
5) Certification of the measures for safeguarding the security of networks and information;
6) The model agreement that proposed to be signed with Domain Name Registrars;
7) The document that gives the promise of complying the relevant national laws, policies and the domain name system of China and signed by the legal representative of the Domain Name Registry applicant.
Article 14
Any organization that engages in domain name registration service shall meet the following requirements:
1) It is legally established incorporated company or incorporated institution;
2) It shall possess at least 1 million RMB Yuan of the registered capital; It shall set up domain name registration service system within the territory of the People's Republic of China, and shall have the specialty engineers and customer service personnel to engage domain name registration service;
3) It shall have the credit standing and capability of providing services to the customers in a long-term;
4) It shall have business development plans and the relevant technical solutions;
5) It shall have perfect safeguard mechanism on the networks and information securities;
6) It shall have perfect quit mechanism of domain name registration service;
7) It shall meet other requirements prescribed by Chinese government.
