China touts real names for blogs

The Internet Society of China says bloggers should be required to use their real names when they register blogs, AP reported, citing state media. The society, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Information Industry, said no decision has been made but that a 'real name system' is inevitable. "A real name system will be an unavoidable choice if China wants to standardize and develop its blog industry," the Internet Society's secretary general, Huang Chengqing, told state media. Under the proposed rule, users would be required to register under their real name to open a blog but would still be allowed to write under a pseudonym.