China offers rewards for reports of terrorism online

Netizens who report online information about terrorism may be given rewards of up to 100,000 yuan (US$16,010), China.org.cn has learned from the State Internet Information Office.

The China Internet Illegal Information Reporting Center (CIIRC) is offering a bonus for netizens who report online terrorism-related information of 1000 yuan to 10,000 yuan for each piece of useful information, and rewards of up to 100,000 yuan may be given for information that proves especially useful.

Netizens are encouraged to report online audio and video which "propagates religious extremism, instigates terrorist attacks, spreads techniques for carrying out terrorism, incites ethnic hatred, and preaches separatism."

Targeted areas include websites, online communities, forums, blogs, microblogs inside and outside China, instant messaging platforms including WeChat, QQ, Laiwang, Yixin and YY, mobile apps and downloading tools.

The CIIRC will accept reports at any time, and the personal information of people who report information will be protected.

The CIIRC will also reward those who report illegal information that crosses the bottom line of "laws and regulations, socialism, the national interest, the legitimate interests of citizens, social public order, morality and information accuracy," with a bonus of 100 yuan to 10,000 yuan.

Since its establishment in June 2004, the CIIRC has accepted more than 4.5 million public reports, and 410,000 reports were accepted from January to May this year. The CIIRC has grown into an important platform for the Chinese public to participate in cyberspace management.

Reports can be made to the CIIRC by calling 12377, through the website http://net.china.com.cn, or by emailing jubao@china.org.cn.