Internet regulator announces more explicit rules for net news censorship

The Cyberspace Administration of China has delegated power to question online news content providers about apparent violations of the country’s censorship regulations, a move that will mean greater scrutiny for sites run by companies including Tencent (0700.HKG), Sina (SINA.NASDAQ) and NetEase (NTES.NASDAQ), South China Morning Post reported, citing state media. Violators would first receive a warning and repeat offenders could be banned from publishing, the head of the agency’s information service bureau said at a briefing announcing the rule, according to Xinhua.