(Adopted at the 62nd Executive Meeting of the State Council on August 14, 2002, promulgated by Decree No. 363 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on September 29, 2002, and effective as of November 15, 2002)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated for the purposes of strengthening the administration of business premises for Internet access services, standardizing business conducts of operators, protecting the lawful rights and interests of the general public and operators, maintaining a healthy development of business activities providing Internet access services, and promoting socialistic ideological and ethical progress.

Article 2 As used in these Regulations, the term "business premises for Internet access services" refers to business premises such as Internet bars or computer lounges where Internet access services are provided to the general public by means of computers or other devices.

Premises affiliated to schools, libraries or other units where Internet access services are provided to particular persons for acquiring information and data shall comply with the relevant laws and regulations, and these Regulations are not applicable thereto.

Article 3Units operating business premises for Internet access services shall comply with the relevant provisions of laws and regulations, strengthen industry self-discipline, self-consciously accept the inspection and administration by government departments concerned in accordance with the law, and provide consumers of Internet access services with desirable services.

Consumers of Internet access services in business premises for Internet access services shall comply with the relevant provisions of laws and regulations as well as social ethics, and conduct Internet-surfing activities in a civilized and healthy way.

Article 4The culture administration departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for examining and approving the establishment of units operating business premises for Internet access services, and be responsible for supervising and administering the business activities of the legally established units operating business premises for Internet access services; the public security organs shall be responsible for supervising and administering the security of information networks, public security and fire control; the administrative departments for industry and commerce shall be responsible for the registration of the units operating business premises for Internet access services, and the administration of their business licenses, and for investigating and punishing unlicensed business activities; the telecommunications administration departments and other departments concerned shall conduct supervision and administration of the units operating business premises for Internet access services within their respective responsibilities and duties according to the relevant provisions of these Regulations, laws and administrative regulations.

Article 5The culture administration departments, the public security organs, the administrative departments for industry and commerce, as well as other relevant departments and their staff shall not engage in, or engage in in a disguised form, any business activities providing Internet access services, nor participate in, or participate in in a disguised form, any business activities conducted by the units operating business premises for Internet access services.

Article 6The State encourages citizens, legal persons and other organizations to supervise the business activities conducted by the units operating business premises for Internet access services, and rewards those who have made outstanding contributions.