[photopress:IT_Google_Bund.jpg,full,alignright]An official of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (SBSM) said the Chinese government is to crack down on illegal online map and geographical information websites, claiming they threaten state security.
Eight departments, including the SBSM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Security, said they would tighten supervision over online map and geographical information service websites.
Min Yiren, deputy director of the SBSM, said almost 10,000 online map websites operated in China, most of them showing maps without approval.
Min said, ‘Some websites publish sensitive or confidential geographical information, which might leak state secrets and threaten national security.’ He said those websites would be closed down. A hotline has been set up for the public to report illegal websites.
Last year, China issued a regulation restricting surveying and mapping by foreigners to protect national security. It stipulated foreign organizations and individuals who intend to engage in surveying and mapping must obtain approval from the central government and accept supervision from local governments.
The amazing illustration is from Google Maps and is a satellite picture of part of the Bund in Shanghai.
Source: China View