Ministry of the Information Industry (MII) was established in the late 1990s to oversee the telecommunications, Internet, digital communications and IT industries. As an integral part of the State Council, MII is a regulatory body in charge of the manufacture of electronic and information products, the communications and software industry, as well as the promotion of informatization of the national economy and social services in the country. MII issues ICP (Internet Content Provision) licenses, the online equivalent of publication licenses.

Official Website: http://www.mii.gov.cn/

Tel: 010-66020051

E-mail:webmaster@mii.gov.cn

The major responsibilities of MII are as follows:

1. To study and formulate the government's development strategies, guidelines, policies and overall plans of the information industry with a view to invigorating the manufacturing industry of electronic and IT products, the communications and the software industry as well as promoting the informatization process of the national economy and the social service.

2. To stipulate laws and regulations of the manufacturing industry of electronic and IT products, the communications industry and the software industry, issue administrative rules and be responsible for the administrative enforcement of laws and the supervision of the enforcement of laws.

3. To make overall plans for the development of national public communications networks (including local and long distance telecommunications networks), radio and TV broadcasting networks and dedicated networks of other sectors and exercise sector management.

4. To establish technical policies, systems and standards for the manufacturing industry of electronic and IT products, the communications industry and the software industry; to establish technical systems and standards for radio broadcasting and TV transmission networks; to exercise control over the network access verification of telecommunications network equipment and the network access of telecommunications terminal equipment; and to provide guidance to quality supervision and control of electronic and IT products.

5. To be responsible for nationwide distribution and management of such public communications resources as radio frequencies, satellite orbit positions, communications network numbers, domain names and addresses; to be responsible for the examination and approval of the establishment of radio stations as well as detection and supervision of the use of radio frequencies; and to regulate radio frequencies and help settle radio interference related matters according to laws and maintain radio wave order in the air.

6. To exercise supervision and control over telecommunications and information service market, implement licensing for operation as necessary, exercise supervision over service quality, ensure fair competition and universal service and safeguard the interest of both the state and users; and to establish arrangements for network interconnection, interoperation and accounting, and supervise their implementation.

7. To formulate tariff policies for communications and information service, set tariff standards for basic postal and telecommunications services and supervise their implementation.

8. To organize the planning, construction and management of dedicated government communications networks; to mange the supervision and dispatch center of the national communications networks and international communications gateways; to deploy and coordinate dedicated government communications, emergency and disaster relief related communications and mission-critical communications; and to ensure security for communications of the government.

9. To provide guidance and foster the growth of the information industry in compliance with the industrial and technological development policies, by giving directions to the adjustment of its industrial structure, product mix and enterprise structure, as well as the reorganization of state-owned enterprises and the establishment of enterprise groups; and to rationally allocate resources and prevent duplicated construction.

10. To facilitate R&D in the manufacturing industry of electronic and IT products, the communications industry and the software industry, organize projects to tackle major technical problems and promote the digestion, absorption and improvement of the imported technologies with a view to applying R& D results to production; and to offer support to national industries.

11. To study and formulate development plans for the information of the national economy and help project owners and initiators in promoting the key informatization projects; to direct, coordinate and organize the development and utilization of information resources; and to give guidance to the popularization of electronic and information technologies and education on informatization.

12. To organize and give guidance to the consolidation of financial data, the submission of profits, the allocation of funds and clearing of postal and telecommunications enterprises, coordinate operational relations between postal enterprises and telecommunications enterprises, mobilize funds for subsidies for universal service and for posts, and take charge of personnel matters concerning the Ministry and units directly under the Ministry.

13. To present China in relevant international organizations and when signing inter-governmental agreements, organize foreign economic and technical cooperation and exchanges, and handle matters concerned with other countries.

14. To study communications and information policies concerning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Macao (SAR) and Taiwan and deal with related issues.

15. To be Responsible for the publication of sector statistic and information.

16. To handle other matters entrusted by the State Council.

The MII also supervises the State Post Bureau as authorized by the State Council.