Hundreds of millions of Chinese people have long been deprived of using the Web simply because they have to use English to find their native language sites.

"With the new sign of our native language, more and more people are likely to step through that door," said Mao Wei, director of the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC).

In an effort to hammer out a sound environment for Chinese character domain names, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) released a new regulation last week.

According to the regulation, without the MII's approval, no organizations or individuals can be involved in the businesses related to domain name registration, related services or agent registration.

The organizations, enterprises and individuals would be required to submit applications to the Telecom Administrative Bureau of the MII for approval.

Any enterprise or individual running Chinese character domain names, who fail to obtain a license within 60 days, are to be suspended and punished according to the related laws and regulations, the circular said.

Realizing the necessity of running Chinese character domain names, the CNNIC started operating a trial system and provided registration services earlier this year.

Sources from the CNNIC showed that by 9:00 pm, November 8, the center had received approximately 500,000 applications for Chinese character domain names.

Most of the applicants are domestic enterprises and individuals from the coastal areas, central and western China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Bidders from the United States, Canada and other European countries have also joined in the bidding.

(People's Daily 11/13/2000)