'Providing tea' not as innocent as it may appear

The Cyberspace Administration of China has tightened regulations for Internet news service providers by releasing a rule on "providing problematic Internet companies with tea".

"Providing tea" is a mild way of saying that cyber administrations at all levels will arrange meetings with Internet companies that have seriously violated the law and regulations, issue a warning and urge the adjustment of content.

In terms of violating the law and regulations, the rule specifies nine cases including seeking inappropriate profit by abusing the power of releasing or deleting news.

"There is a high possibility that those websites spreading rumors and pornography, leaking user information and permitting users to set up illegal account names, will be invited for a chat," said Fan Li, a senior official from China’s Cyberspace Administration.

The new rule will take effect from June 1.

Government-initiated "chats" will become a regular management tool in managing Internet news service providers. The rule makes clear that they cannot decline the "invitation" and have to adjust their performance based on the "chat".

Similarly, the cyberspace administration cannot abuse its power. At least two law enforcement officers must attend "chats", produce identities and record the process.