China to Punish Communist Party Members Who Visit 'Illegal Websites'
- Party members need approval to register social media account
- China clamping down on free speech before party congress
BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 11: A Chinese honour guard prepares before a welcoming ceremony for President Tran Dai Quang of The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam outside the Great Hall of the People on May 11, 2017 in Beijing, China. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Tran Dai Quang of The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will pay a state visit to China and attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation from May 11 to 15, 2017.
Photographer: Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesChina’s Communist Party is curbing the online activities of its 89 million members ahead of a leadership shake-up in a few months.
The new rules made public on Tuesday said that all party cadres face punishment if they visit “illegal websites” or disclose party and state secrets online. Cadres need permission from the party before registering social media accounts or setting up a WeChat group that contains their job information, the party’s personnel, propaganda and cyber watchdog said.