Online shop owners in China will be required to submit personal information, including real names and addresses, to e-commerce agents before running their businesses online, according to a regulation which comes into effect Thursday.

The regulation was issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

The first Chinese regulation of online goods and services transactions, the regulation details the obligations of online shop owners and e-commerce agents. It also details authorities' administration of online shopping.

If online business owners fail to abide by the regulation, they may be imposed a fine of up to 30,000 yuan (about US$4,410).

Also to take effect Thursday, the Tort Liability Law will allow for the granting of compensation for psychological injuries and assessment of the sum to be granted. It also mandates better protection of personal privacy by imposing liability for unauthorized personal information leaks.

The Law on National Defense Mobilization will also come into effect Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2010)