Economy

Google says to 'abide by the Chinese law' to renew license

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-01 01:13

BEIJING - A company running Google's China website has pledged to "abide by the Chinese law" in a letter of application to renew Google's operation license, government sources told Xinhua Wednesday.

Guxiang Information Technology Co Ltd, operator of Google.cn, had submitted an application to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to renew its Internet Content Provider (ICP) license, permit to run websites in China, an official in charge of Internet administration, who declined to be identified, said.

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The application was made "almost at the same time" Google's chief legal officer David Drummond wrote a blog post saying Google is committed "not to self censor," according to the official.

Guxiang had said it will "ensure the company will provide no law-breaking contents as stated in the 57th statement in China's regulations concerning telecommunications."

The 57th statement in China's regulations concerning telecommunications, which Guxiang promised to follow, stipulates that any organization or individual is prohibited from using the Internet to spread any content that attempts to subvert state power, undermine national security, infringe on national reputation and interests, or that incites ethnic hatred and secession, transmits pornography and violence.

Guxiang promised that all contents it provides are subject to supervision of government regulators, said the official.

The official said the license renewal application from Guxiang had come late, but related government agencies were using the time to go through procedures.

"A quick reply is expected soon," he said.