Speaking of Walled Gardens:
Here below are links to several articles dated 8/31 I just received today
The implications of this are not obvious, since what constitutes
"geographic information" is so vague. Although clearer definitions will
be set, I can't believe that the authorities intend to, or are capable
of monitoring and regulating every bit of information that might be
geocoded with location coordinates.
- Mike
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/press/2006/08/30/china-to-tighten-foreigners-mapping-activities/
August 30, 2006
*China to tighten foreigners' mapping activities
<http://www.shanghaidaily.com/press/2006/08/30/china-to-tighten-foreigners-mapping-activities/>*
Related entries: National
<http://www.shanghaidaily.com/press/category/national/>
CHINA will tighten foreigners' surveying and mapping activities in the
country to protect state security, China News Service said today.
The new regulation will set clearer definitions on surveying ranges,
supervision administrations and approval procedures, said an official
from the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping yesterday in Beijing.
Local companies, receptionists and interpreters, who fail to stop
illegal mapping activities, will have their business qualifications
withdrawn, the official said.
Some illegal surveys and maps have caused a negative impact on the
political relations between China and some other countries, the official
said. China's seven central ministries, including the Ministry of Public
Security and the State Secrecy Bureau, have been appealing to tighten
this administration on foreigners.
Any overseas institute or individual who intends on surveying or drawing
the country's territory has to first receive permissions from mapping
authorities under China's State Council and armed forces, according to
the country's mapping law.
Those who ignore the law and collect, process and distribute the
country's geographical information without authorization will be
severely punished, the law states. _Taking the information abroad or
broadcasting it on any Website is also forbidden. _
Any surveying or drawing for the purpose of scientific research,
education, travel and exploration should strictly follow the laws and
fully cooperate with local supervision administrations, the official said.
(gj)
----------------------
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/08/31/290611/Controls_tightened_on_foreign_surveys__mapping.htm
**Controls tightened on foreign surveys, mapping**
2006-08-31
CHINA will step up supervision of foreigners who conduct surveys and map
areas of the country.
Foreign organizations and individuals, who engage in surveying and
mapping in scientific research and teaching programs, travel or
exploration, must obtain approval from the government and accept
supervision, the State Bureau of Survey and Mapping said.
The number of foreigners conducting surveys and mapping in China is
rising and many projects have been carried out illegally, threatening
national security, the bureau said.
The Chinese law on surveying and mapping states that foreigners must
cooperate with a Chinese partner and the activities must not involve
state secrets or jeopardize national security.
Earlier this year, two Japanese scholars were fined a total of 80,000
yuan (US$10,000) and deported for collecting materials and coordinates
of an airport and water facilities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
It was feared their results might have a military use.
The bureau notice said that foreigners who illegally survey, gather and
publish geographical information on China will be severely punished.
Chinese partners or translators will be fined if they fail to stop
illegal mapping activities as soon as they find out about them.
-----------------
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/08/31/290610/New_laws_to_hit_range_of_issues.htm
**New laws to hit range of issues**
2006-08-31
A SERIES of new laws and regulations, ranging from compulsory education
to wildlife protection, come into effect in China tomorrow.
The new regulations include:
Free compulsory education ensured
"Equal compulsory education for children in cities and the countryside"
was for the first time written into the newly revised Compulsory
Education Law.
The revised law aims to give children in both cities and the countryside
nine years of free compulsory education.
The costs will be jointly covered by the central and local governments
which are required to put the expenditure into their budgets.
Reservoir compensation funds guaranteed
The State Council's Subsidy Policies for People Who Were Relocated to
Make Way for Dams and Reservoirs becomes effective tomorrow.
The central government will spend more than 13 billion yuan (US$1.62
billion) every year to subsidize the cost of moving 22 million people to
make room for water reservoirs created by dams. The money will be raised
by increasing power bills by 0.62 cents per kilowatt hour.
China has built more than 3,000 large and medium-sized dams since 1949
for flood control, electricity generation, irrigation and water supply.
Controls on explosives tightened
China issued stricter controls on civilian use and storage of explosives
after a series of accidental explosions in recent years.
The government will also establish a database to monitor transactions
and transport of explosives.
Import, export of endangered species banned
China has banned the import and export of endangered species of wild
fauna and flora.
The regulation will protect and regulate the trade of wild animals and
vegetation, and comply with the Convention on International Trade on
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
**_Protection of mapping data _***_
_*
The Mapping Management Regulation states that important mapping data
must only be released by the government.
Prohibition of fraud in financial aid to foreign countries
The Ministry of Commerce's "Foreign Aid Guidebook" attempts to remove
corruption from the management of relief materials and financial aid
destined for foreign countries.
Xinhua
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/08/30/290567/China_to_tighten_foreigners__mapping_activities.htm
China to tighten foreigners' mapping activities
Gu Jia
2006-08-30
CHINA will tighten foreigners' surveying and mapping activities in the
country to protect state security, China News Service said today.
The new regulation will set clearer definitions on surveying ranges,
supervision administrations and approval procedures, said an official
from the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping yesterday in Beijing.
Local companies, receptionists and interpreters, who fail to stop
illegal mapping activities, will have their business qualifications
withdrawn, the official said.
Some illegal surveys and maps have caused a negative impact on the
political relations between China and some other countries, the official
said. China's seven central ministries, including the Ministry of Public
Security and the State Secrecy Bureau, have been appealing to tighten
this administration on foreigners.
Any overseas institute or individual who intends on surveying or drawing
the country's territory has to first receive permissions from mapping
authorities under China's State Council and armed forces, according to
the country's mapping law.
Those who ignore the law and collect, process and distribute the
country's geographical information without authorization will be
severely punished, the law states. Taking the information abroad or
broadcasting it on any Website is also forbidden.
Any surveying or drawing for the purpose of scientific research,
education, travel and exploration should strictly follow the laws and
fully cooperate with local supervision administrations, the official said.
Chinese story <http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-08-29/18369881598s.shtml>
Xinhua
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