Foreign web investors targeted

China is tightening regulations for foreign investors operating Internet services in China and plans to close sites that use rented licenses, state media reported. In a circular last week, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) ordered domestic telecom companies to not lease or sell licenses to foreign investors. The MII said some investors sidestep regulations issued five years ago and use shared or borrowed licenses as well as the domain names and trademarks of Chinese partners� to offer services. The ministry asked government departments to check existing websites before November 1. Websites without a proper license will have to reapply for one.