internet

www.washingtonpost.com — Beijing authorities on Friday ordered Internet microblogs to require users to register with their real names, a tightening of rules aimed at controlling China’s rapidly growing social networks.

An announcement posted online said all microblog companies registered in the capital had to enforce real name registration within three months.

www.wantchinatimes.com — The United States has asked the Chinese government to provide details of its internet censorship policy in a bid to ensure fair competition in a letter from the US ambassador to WTO, Michael Punke. Many US commercial websites have not been able to enter the country's market due to its selective blocking of content on the internet, often referred to as the "Great Firewall of China."

www.shanghaidaily.com — On Monday, Taobao announced it was to increase its annual service fee to 30,000 yuan (US$4,718) or 60,000 yuan from January, depending on the type of product sold. Previously the fee was just 6,000 yuan.

"We won't be able to pay the service fee because as a start-up, our profit is too slim to support our operation," said one vendor called "Yang1981" who started his business just last year.

www.reuters.com — More Chinese police should use microblogs to give the public "correct" facts and release authorized information to dispel misunderstandings, MPS said on Monday, in a new effort to counter critics of the government.

Vice Minister of Public Security Huang Ming said that police forces should actively use microblogs to ensure the correct information is put across to people.

www.nytimes.com — In a follow-up to this story, it seems Beijing has done with they do best: Delete the damning evidence and then claim it was all just made up hoo-haw.