Keywords: public security, information, online trading, network security, enterprise, disqualified, risk
 

The Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information Industry, Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and State Post Bureau recently issued a joint circular on strengthening efforts to crack down on illegal online trading of contraband. Concerted efforts will be made to keep track of the information on illegal online trading of drugs, guns and ammunition and bugging devices in a centralised way, and put network security and production of contraband goods in order.

The circular states that with the growing popularity of the Internet and development of e-commerce, online trading is a common economic activity these days. However, some law-breakers are selling via the Internet contraband goods whose production, purchase, transportation or possession is restricted or prohibited by the state, thus jeopardising public order and security.

The circular sets out the supervision responsibilities of local departments of public security, communications administration, MOFCOM, SAIC, SFDA, CBRC and postal administration.

Postal departments are urged to "strengthen their monitoring of the courier market" and "make sure that courier companies assume their duties in inspecting postal items, and prohibit the sending of contraband goods via courier service; strengthen control over courier companies, and expedite the establishment of a market access system. Courier firms found to have failed to discharge their duties in inspecting postal items will be ordered to rectify and even disqualified".

The circular stresses the need to establish a sound, enduring mechanism to stem illegal online contraband trading. The departments concerned should establish an information sharing system and submit the names of enterprises engaged in the illegal trading to CBRC and SAIC offices for risk classification, targeted monitoring and early warning. They should make concerted efforts to extend supervision from the physical world to the Internet, and enforce their statutory duties in monitoring contraband sales via the Internet. They should also promote self-discipline among industry players and ensure that contraband goods are produced and sold under the conventional supervision mechanism.
 

Source: http://www.hktdc.com/info/mi/a/bacn/en/1X002DS5/1/Business-Alert-%E2%80%93-China/China-Cracks-Down-on-Illegal-Online-Trading-of-Contraband.htm