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More Chinese Internet surfers are expected to join the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the US-based
world Internet resources administrator, before the end of this
month.
All ICANN members will automatically have the right to select
standing representatives for the new ICANN executive committee,
which will draw the blueprint for the Internet's future development.
Each continent will choose one or two representatives to join
the 19-member executive committee.
Nine will be selected by on-line votes, and another nine will
be appointed by the three main sponsors of the organization.
Besides those 18 members, a president will also be appointed
to deal with general affairs.
China Internet Network Information Center (CINIC) called on
Chinese Internet users to register their membership at the ICANN
website to support China's bid for a seat on the standing committee.
"Only by joining the committee, could China and the Third
World have a say when drawing new universal Internet rules,"
said Hu Qiheng, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"It's time for China's more than 10 million Internet users
to show the world their power," Hu said.
Hu admitted that China is a bit late in joining the membership
registering process, which will conclude at the end of this
month, but she said that she believes "many warm-hearted
Internet surfers will support this programme."
Local media and Internet content providers (ICPs) in China began
spreading the news after the conference.
Major ICPs have created ICANN signs on their home pages, and
people can easily enter the ICANN register pages by clicking
on those banners.
The Ministry of Information Industry strongly supports the effort.
Zhao Xiaofan, deputy director of the Information Promotion Department
under the ministry, said that the ministry has encouraged Internet
users to register to support China's representation.
Zhao indicated China will increase its input into the information
industry in the next Five-Year Plan period (2001-05), and China
should have its say in the world's Internet industry.
(China Daily 07/20/2000) |
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