China lists web no-nos

BEIJING - The Chinese Government announced topics it censors on the internet, including material which may damage "state honour and interests" or "subverts state power".

No organisation can "produce, duplicate, announce or disseminate information" on topics which may be "against the cardinal principles ... in the constitution", or which may "instigate ethnic hatred", jeopardise "state religious policy", or spread "superstitious ideas", China's State Council Information Office said yesterday.

China gave web companies including Baidu preferential treatment such as lower tax rates to spur the domestic internet industry's growth as the government simultaneously blocked access to online content critical of the ruling Communist Party.

China had 384 million internet users at the end of last year, the most of any nation, according to the China internet Network Information Centre.

- BLOOMBERG