News from the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), an organization responsible for the management of China's domain name registration, says that CNNIC received 45,645 applications for priority upgrading and 1,960 applications for priority registration of ".cn" second-level domain names from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 6 -- the first day for this kind of applications and registration. It means that 35 percent of China's ".cn" registered users have applied for upgrading on the very first day. Among them, a registered user -- cd-r.com.cn from south China's Guangzhou, was the lucky first upgrading applicant.

According to the regulation on second-level domain names publicized by CNNIC, all ".cn" domain names registered before December 6, 2002 will have priority to apply for upgrading and registering their corresponding second-level domain names. About 130,000 domain names are included in this category. Although the priority registration period publicized by CNNIC will last until February 28, 2003, over one-third users handed in their applications on the first day. Insiders believe that this situation fully reflects users' recognition to the value of second-level domain names.

CNNIC reminds that those who already have the ".cn" domain names can fulfill their applications for priority upgrading on the websites. Simply inputting their passwords, they don't need to provide any other material for confirming their identities. Users who have not received the upgrade password can contact their registration provider. Users who have priority in registration, including famous brands, names of colleges and universities, media and World Heritages sites, have to provide relevant identification materials to registration providers while fulfilling the registration application online, so as to confirm their priority.

It is reported that CNNIC will handle the applications for priority registration and upgrading during March 1-16, 2003. On March 17, 2003, it will begin to accept public registration of ".cn" second-level domain names.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian, January 8, 2003)