On December 8, the Internet News & Information Service Working Committee of the China Internet Association held its inaugural meeting in the Beijing International Conference Center. Participants came from domestic news websites, commercial websites, network operational companies and government departments.

The meeting examined and approved the Regulation of the Internet News & Information Service Working Committee, and elected leading officials of the committee. As a working mechanism of the China Internet Association, the committee will dedicate itself to making and implementing autonomous Internet news and information service standards, and conduct “self-disciplinary” educational activities. All Internet news and information service providers and other relevant Internet service providers who have already obtained the qualification for publishing and spreading news and information according to law can apply for membership of the organization.

More than 30 Internet news and information providers participating in the meeting signed the Internet News and Information Service Self-disciplinary Pledge. They committed themselves to being subject to government administration and public supervision, firmly boycotting the spread of pornographic, superstitious and other harmful information online, and boycotting any content against the fine cultural tradition and moral codes of the Chinese nation.

Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office Cai Mingzhao, Vice Minister of Information Industry Xi Guohua and Chairman of the Executive Council of the China Internet Association Hu Qiheng attended and addressed the conference. They shared the point of view that the Internet has produced an impact on various aspects of social life.

With the growth of its role and influence, it shoulders greater social responsibilities. Accordingly, all online news and information providers should fulfill their duties, rigidly observe relevant laws and socialist moral codes and intensify self-discipline to create a healthy Internet environment.

(China.org.cn December 8, 2003)