China considers legal framework for blocking foreign websites

China is working on regulations that will allow it to fine ISPs if they allow connections to websites outside of China. The rules are part of a bill that was released for public consultation Monday.

The fine can be up to 30,000 yuan, converted 4122 euros, reports The Wall Street Journal. The proposed rules can be found in a bill to revise the regulation of domain names. The settlement is said to stem from fears of threats to China’s national and ideological security, including from terrorism, expert Zhu Wei told the newspaper.

China already has extensive censorship on the internet, but the new rules are a step towards a more comprehensive legal framework, Zhu Wei said. The only question is to what extent this will be enforced, says a second expert from the University of Hong Kong. He adds that it is in the current political climate to impose further restrictions on the press and internet freedom.

Under the proposed rules, foreign companies could also be affected and the already isolated country further cut off from the internet. According to Zhu Wei, the bill is primarily aimed at terrorist groups and organizations that oppose Chinese policies, and aims to “find a way” for companies.