Provisions on Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures for Internet Information Departments

[Source]http://www.cac.gov.cn/2023-03/23/c_1681211418907384.htm

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1: These Provisions are drafted on the basis of the PRC Administrative Punishment Law, Administrative Compulsion Law of the PRC, the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, the PRC Data Security Law, the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, and other relevant laws and administrative regulations, so as to regulate and ensure internet information departments' performance of duties in accordance with law, to protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons, and other organizations, and to preserve national security and public interest.

Article 2: The following provisions apply to Internet information departments carrying out administrative law enforcement such as administrative punishments.

The "internet information departments" as used in these regulations refers to the Cyberspace Administration of China and local internet information offices.

Article 3: Internet information departments carrying out administrative law enforcement shall persist in combining punishment and education, and make it so that the facts are clear, the evidence is credible, the basis is correct, and the procedures are lawful.

Article 4: Internet information departments are to establish administrative law enforcement oversight systems in accordance with law for the corresponding system.

Higher-level internet information departments are to conduct oversight of lower-level internet information departments' implementation of administrative law enforcement.

Article 5: Internet information departments shall strengthen the establishment of the law enforcement teams and capacity, and establish and complete systems for the training, testing, evaluation, and qualification management and certification of law enforcement personnel.

Article 6: Internet information departments and their law enforcement personnel shall lawfully preserve the confidentiality of state secrets, commercial secrets, or personal private information that they obtain in the course of law enforcement.

Article 7: Where law enforcement personnel have a direct interest in the case or have other relationships that may affect the fairness of law enforcement, they shall be recused.

Where the parties feel that law enforcement personnel have a direct interest in the case or have other relationships that may affect the fairness of law enforcement, they have the right to apply for recusal.

Where parties submit applications for recusals, the internet information departments shall review them in accordance with law, and a decision will be made by the responsible person for the internet information department. The investigation is not to be stopped prior to the decision being made.

Chapter II: Jurisdiction and Application

Article 8: Administrative punishments are in the jurisdiction of the internet information department for the site where the offense occurs. Where laws, administrative regulations, and departmental rules provide otherwise, follow those provisions.

The site where a violation occurred includes the site of the perpetrator’s related permits or filings; the site of main operations and registry; the location of website establishers, managers, and uses; the site of internet access, the location of servers, computers, and other terminal equipment.

Article 9: In accordance with their authority, internet information departments at the county level or above have jurisdiction over administrative punishment cases in the corresponding administrative region. Where laws and administrative regulations provide otherwise, those provisions control.

Article 10: Where two or more internet information departments have jurisdiction over the same violation by a party, the first internet information department to file the case has jurisdiction.

Where two or more internet information departments have a dispute over jurisdiction, it shall be resolved through consultation, and where negotiations are unsuccessful, it is to be reported to an internet information department at a shared higher level for a designation of jurisdiction; the internet information department at a shared higher level may also directly designate jurisdiction.

Article 11: Where higher-level internet information departments find it necessary, they may directly handle cases in the jurisdiction of lower-level internet information departments, and may also transfer cases in the department’s jurisdiction to be handled by lower internet information departments. Where laws, administrative regulations, or departmental rules clearly provide that higher-level internet information departments shall have jurisdiction over cases, the higher-level internet information departments must not send the case to the jurisdiction of a lower internet information department.

Where for special reasons lower-level internet information departments cannot exercise jurisdiction over cases in their jurisdiction, they may report it to the higher-level internet information departments for jurisdiction or designation of jurisdiction.

Where internet information departments at the districted-city level or lower discover that administrative punishment cases under their jurisdiction involve national security or other such circumstances, they shall promptly report to the internet information department at the level above, and when necessary, request that the internet information department at the level above take jurisdiction.

Article 12: Where internet information departments discover that a case they accepted is not in their jurisdiction, they shall promptly transfer it to an internet information department with jurisdiction.

The internet information departments receiving transfers shall promptly notify the internet information department that transferred the case by letter of the outcomes of the investigation and handling, and where it is felt that the transfer is improper, the shall report it to an internet information department at a shared higher level for a designation of jurisdiction, and must not transfer it again.

Article 13: After the higher internet information departments receive a request for an instruction on contested jurisdiction or submission for designation of jurisdiction, they shall make a decision on designating jurisdiction within 10 days, and inform the lower internet information departments in writing.

Article 14: Where internet information departments find that a case belongs to another administrative organ's jurisdiction, they shall transfer it to the relevant administrative organ in accordance with law.

Where internet information departments discover unlawful conduct that is suspected of being a crime, the case shall be promptly sent to the justice organs. Where judicial organs decide to open a case, the internet information departments shall promptly complete formalities for transfer.

The internet information departments shall strengthen coordination and cooperation with judicial organs, establishing and completing case transfer systems, strengthening links for the transfer and acceptance of evidence materials, and improving mechanisms for circulating information on case handling.

Article 15: For administrative punishment decisions such as in which the original permitting or approving department shall reduce qualification levels or cancel permits, the internet information departments shall send the evidence and related materials they have acquired to the original permitting or approving department, which is to make a decision in accordance with law on whether or not to reduce credential levels or cancel the permits.

Article 16: Parties must not be fined twice or more for the same illegal conduct. Where the same conduct violates multiple laws or regulations that should be given fines, punishment is to be given in accordance with the highest fine.

Chapter III: Administrative Punishment Procedures

Section 1: Opening a Case [case filing]

Article 17: Internet information departments shall promptly investigate and handle the following matters, and complete the "Case Origin Form":

(1) case leads discovered during oversight inspections.

(2) Complaint, appeals, or reports from natural persons, legal persons, or other organizations;

(3) Investigations assigned by higher-level internet information departments or requested by lower-level internet information departments;

(4) transfers by relevant organs;

(5) Discoveries made through other means or channels;

Article 18: The following requirements shall be met when filing an administrative punishment case:

(1) There are suspected violations of law, administrative regulations, or departmental rules, that shall be given administrative punishments in accordance with law;

(2) It it within the jurisdiction of the department;

(3) It is within the legally-prescribed period for which administrative punishments shall be given as prescribed by law.

Where it is eligible for filing a case, a "Case Filing Review and Approval Form" shall be completed and attached to the relevant materials, to be reported within 7 working days to the responsible person for the internet information department to review and file the case, and to appoint two or more law enforcement personnel to undertake the case. Where there are special situations, the time for case filing may be extended to 15 working days.

A written record shall be stored of the circumstances relevant to not opening a case for complaints, collateral appeals, and reports on not opening a case.

Where it is decided not to file a case regarding a case transferred by other organs, the transferring organ shall be informed in writing.

Where a case is not filed or case filing is withdrawn, the persons undertaking it shall draft a "Non-approval of Case Filing Form" or a "Withdrawal of Case Filing Form" , and send it for approval by the responsible party for the internet information department.

Section 2: Investigation and Collection of Evidence

Article 19: When internet information departments conduct investigation and collection of evidence in cases, it shall be carried out by law enforcement personnel that possess administrative law enforcement credentials. There must be at least two law enforcement personnel and they shall proactively present their law enforcement identification to the parties or other relevant persons. When necessary, specialized personnel may be hired to assist.

The first time evidence is gathered or collected from a case party, they shall be informed of their right to apply for the recusal of law enforcement personnel.

When evidence is gathered or obtained from relevant units or individuals, they shall be informed of the obligation to truthfully provide evidence. Subjects of investigations and relevant personnel shall truthfully answer questions, assist and cooperate in the investigation, promptly provide relevant materials that should be stored in accordance with law such as information released by network operators, information published by users, and log information; and must not obstruct or interfere with the case investigation.

Article 20: Where during the course of law enforcement, internet information departments truly need relevant organs or the internet information departments of other administrative regions to collect evidence, they shall issue an investigation assistance letter, and the investigation assistance letter shall contain content such as the specific matters and time limits for the needed assistance.

Internet information departments that receive investigation assistance letters shall assist with those that are within the scope of that department’s authority, and complete the relevant work within 15 working days of receiving the investigation assistance letter; and where an extension is required for completion or they are unable to assist, they shall promptly notify the internet information department that sent the letter in writing.

Article 21: Law enforcement personnel shall lawfully collect evidence related to the case, including documentary evidence, physical evidence, A/V materials, electronic data, witness testimony, party statements, appraisal opinions, inquisition records, and on-site investigation records.

Electronic data refers to data that can prove matters in the case which is formed in the course of the case arising, stored in computer equipment, mobile communication equipment, internet servers, mobile storage equipment, cloud storage systems, and other such electronic equipment and storage media, that is stored, processed, and transmitted in data form. Audiovisual information includes both recorded and visual information. The provisions on electronic data apply to audio or visual materials stored in electronic media.

The veracity of evidence shall be confirmed before it can be the basis for determining case facts.

Evidence acquired by illegal means must not serve as the basis for determining the case facts.

Article 22: Evidence lawfully collected by internet information departments in the investigation before the case is filed and in oversight inspections, may be used as evidence in the case.

For transferred cases, evidence investigated and collected by the transferring organs in accordance with their duties may be used as evidence in the case.

Article 23: Before opening a case, internet information departments may employ measures such as questioning, site inspections, examinations, inspections, testing, evaluations, and collecting relevant materials, but must not restrict the rights of the investigation subjects in their persons and property.

After internet information departments file a case, they may employ measures such as advance registration and storage of items, equipment, or venues involved in the case.

Article 24: Internet information departments that question parties or relevant personnel in the course of law enforcement shall draft a record of questioning indicating content such as the time, place, subject, and process. Records of questioning shall be given to the persons questioned or other related persons to check and verify, and the law enforcement personnel and the persons being questioned or other relevant persons are to sign it. Where the person being questioned and other relevant persons refuse to sign or are unable to sign, the reasons shall be noted.

Article 25: Internet information departments shall conduct site inspections or inspections of premises, items, and networks involved in violations; and promptly collect and fix documentary evidence, physical evidence, audiovisual materials, and electronic data.

Article 26: Internet information departments may commission forensic evaluation establishments to issue evaluation opinions on specialized issues in the case; where they are not within the scope of judicial evaluations, they may commission institutions with the capacity and conditions to issue a testing report or inspection report.

Article 27: Internet information departments may obtain evidence that can prove case facts from relevant units and individuals, and may take photographs, or make recordings, copies and reproductions of the materials as necessary.

The collection of documentary evidence and physical evidence shall be of original documents or items. Where it is difficult to collect the original documents or items, the relevant units or individuals that provided the evidence may sign or affix their seal to a reproduction and indicate 'this item was provided by XXX, and has been found to be without error upon comparison with the original document or item" and also note the date it was certified, its disposition, and sign this or affix a seal.

Audiovisual materials or electronic data that are collected shall be the original storage medium or a backup medium. Where it is difficult to collect the original storage medium or a backup medium, a reproduction may be gathered, noting the means of reproduction, the date of reproduction, and the persons who did the reproduction. Where audio materials are collected a transcript of the audio content shall be attached.

Article 28: In situations where evidence could be destroyed or where it would be difficult to obtain later, then upon the approval of the responsible party of internet information departments, law enforcement personnel may lawfully register and store in advance items suspected of being involved in the violations such as computers, servers, hard drives, and mobile storage equipment, memory cards; and a "List of Registered and Stored Items" is to be drafted and a "Written Notice of Registration and Storage of Items" is to be issued to the parties. During the period of advance registration and storage, parties and other relevant personnel must not damage, destroy, or transfer the evidence.

Where internet information departments carry out advance registration and storage, they shall inform the parties or persons in possession to appear, and indicate the relevant circumstances of implementation in the on-scene record.

Article 29: Within seven working days, internet information departments shall make the following disposition decisions regarding advance registered and stored evidence：

(1) where it is necessary to employ measures to preserve the evidence, it is to be returned after preservation measures such as recording, reproduction, photographing, or video have been employed;

(2) where it is necessary to inspect, test, or evaluate; it is to be sent to an institution with relevant credentials for inspection, testing or evaluation.

(3) Where the facts of a violation are not established, or previously registered and stored data is not related to the facts of the violation, the preservation is to be lifted;

Where a decision is not issued by the time set, advance registration and storage shall be be released.

Where the facts of a violation are established, confiscation shall be done in accordance with law, and administrative punishments are to be carried out in accordance with the legally-prescribed procedures.

Article 30: Internet information departments collecting or preserving electronic data may employ measures such as the on-site collection of evidence, remote collection of evidence, or ordering relevant units and individuals to fix and submit [evidence].

After on-site or remote evidence collection is completed, a "Electronic Collection of Evidence Work Record" shall be drafted.

Article 31: During the course of investigation and collection of evidence, law enforcement personnel shall request that parties sign, leave fingerprints, affix a seal or use other methods to verify records and other relevant materials.

Where parties refuse to appear; refuse to sign, leave fingerprints, affix seals, or use other methods of verification; or where there is no way to find parties; two or more law enforcement personnel are to note the reasons on the records or other materials and invite other relevant personnel to sign or affix their seal as authenticating witnesses, and may also use methods such as audio or visual recordings to make a record.

Article 32: Measures to seal or seize may be employed against equipment and items for which there is evidence showing that they are used in illegal personal information handling activities.

The employment or lifting of sealing or seizure measures shall be reported in writing to the principle responsible person for the internet information department, and be upon their approval. Where the situation is urgent and it is necessary to employ sealing or seizure measures on-site, the law enforcement personnel shall report it to the principal responsible person for the internet information department within 24 hours and complete approval formalities. Where the internet information department' principle responsible person finds that sealing or seizure measures shall not be employed, they shall be immediately lifted.

Article 33: After the investigation of a case, where the personal handling it finds that the fact of a violation is established and that administrative punishment shall be given, write a Case Disposition Opinion Report and a draft administrative punishment recommendation.

In any of the following circumstances, a Case Disposition Opinion Report is to be written, explaining the reasoning for the disposition to be made, and report it for approval to the responsible person for the internet information department, and then one of the following dispositions is to be made based on different circumstances:

(1) Where it is found that the fact of a violation cannot be established, administrative punishment is not to be given;

(2) Where the violation is slight, promptly corrected, and did not cause harmful consequences, an administrative punishment is not to be given;

(3) Where it is a first offense and the harmful consequences were minor and promptly corrected, it is permissible to not give administrative punishment;

(4) Where parties have evidence sufficient to show they had no subjective fault, and that administrative punishments are not to be given, and laws, administrative regulations, have other provisions, follow those provisions;

(5) where the case is not within the jurisdiction of that department, it shall be transferred to another administrative organ with jurisdiction;

(6) Where the violation is suspected of constituting a crime, it shall be transferred to the judicial organs.

Article 34: When internet information departments conduct oversight inspections or case investigations, where there is already evidence proving facts that constitute a violation, they shall order the parties to immediately make corrections or to correct violative conduct within a set period of time.

Article 35: In administrative punishment cases where the facts are clear, and the party voluntarily admits fault, accepts punishment and has no objections to the facts of the violation and the application of law, the internet information department shall handle the case quickly.

Section 3: Hearings

Article 36: Before internet information departments make the following administrative punishment decisions, they shall inform the parties that they have the right to request a hearing. Where parties request a hearing, they shall submit it within 5 working days of being informed, and the internet information departments shall organize a hearing. Where parties do not request a hearing in the set time, it is viewed as a waiver of the right.

(1) fines of larger amounts;

(2) Confiscation of larger values of unlawful gains, or confiscation of high-value illegal assets;

(3) Reduction of qualification levels or cancellation of permits;

(4) Orders that operations be stopped, ordering closures, or restricting practice;

(5) Other heavier administrative punishments;

(6) Other situations provided for by laws or administrative regulations.

Article 37: Seven working days before the hearing, the internet information departments shall send a written notice of the hearing to the parties and inform the parties and relevant persons of the time and place at which the hearing is to be convened.

A record shall be made of the hearing and given to the parties or their representatives for them to sign or affix a seal after they have verified it as accurate. Where parties or their representatives refuse to sign or affix their seal, those presiding over the hearing are to note this in the record.

Hearings shall be held publicly except where they involve state secrets, commercial secrets, or personal privacy that is to be kept secret in accordance with law.

After the hearing concludes, the internet information departments shall make a decision based on the record of the hearing in accordance with article 42 of these Provisions.

Section 4: Administrative Punishment Decisions and Service

Article 38: Before internet information departments make an administrative punishment decision for the parties, they may follow relevant provisions to meet with them, and make a record of the law enforcement meeting after the meeting is concluded.

Article 39: Before internet information departments make an administrative punishment decision they shall complete an Administrative Punishment Opinion Notification Document to inform the parties of the content, facts, reasoning, and basis of the proposed administrative punishment and notify the parties that they enjoy rights in accordance with law such as to make statements and defenses.

Article 40: The parties have the right to make statements and defenses. The internet information departments shall fully hear the parties, opinions and shall review the facts, reasoning, and evidence they put forth; and where the facts, reasoning, and evidence put forth by the parties is sustained, the internet information departments shall accept them.

Internet information departments must not give heavier punishments due to the statements and defenses of the parties.

Where internet information departments and their law enforcement personnel fail to inform the parties of the facts, reasons, and basis for administrative punishments in accordance with these Provisions, or they refuse to hear the statements and defenses of the parties before making an administrative punishment decision they must not make the administrative punishment decision; except where the parties have clearly waived their rights to make statements or defenses.

Article 41: In any of the following circumstances, before the responsible person for an internet information department makes an administrative punishment decision, a legal review shall be conducted by the personnel who conduct such reviews of administrative punishment decisions; and where a review was not conducted or the review was not passed, the decision must not be made:

(1) It involves major public interests;

(2) It is directly connected to major rights and interests of parties or third parties, and following hearing procedures;

(3) The circumstances of the case are challenging and complex, and involve many legal relationships;

(4) Other circumstances where laws or administrative regulations provide that a legal review shall be conducted.

The legal review is to be carried out by the body that the internet information department has confirmed is responsible for legal reviews. Personnel of internet information departments who are taking on a legal review of an administrative punishment decision for the first time shall obtain legal professional credentials through the National Unified Legal Professional's Qualification Exam.

Article 42: Proposed administrative punishment decisions shall be reported for review to the responsible person for the internet information department. The internet information department's responsible person is to make distinct decisions as follows based on the differing circumstances:

(1) Where there is truly unlawful conduct for which administrative punishments shall be imposed in accordance with law, an administrative punishment decision is to be made in light of the seriousness and specific circumstances;

(2) Where the violation is more minor, and the law allows that an administrative punishment might not be imposed; do not impose an administrative punishment.

(3) Where a violation cannot be established, administrative punishment is not given;

(4) Where the unlawful conduct is a suspected crime, transfer to the judicial organs.

Article 43: The responsible person of the internet information department shall collectively discuss and decide upon the imposition of administrative penalties for complicated circumstances or major illegal acts. There shall be a written record of decision-making through group discussion.

Article 44: An Administrative Punishment Decision Certificate shall be completed for administrative punishment decisions made by internet information departments issuing administrative punishment decisions.

The administrative punishment decision documents shall indicate the following matters:

(1) the parties' names or entity name, address, and other basic circumstances;

(2) Facts and evidence on the violation of laws, administrative regulations, or departmental rules.

(3) The type and basis of administrative punishment;

(4) The methods and time for enforcing the administrative punishment;

(5) The channels and time limits for applying for administrative reconsideration or for initiating administrative litigation;

(6) The name of the internet information department making the administrative punishment decision, and the date the decision was made.

Where administrative punishment decisions involve the confiscation of related items, the confiscation proofs shall also be attached.

The administrative punishment decision document must bear the seal of the internet information department that made the administrative punishment decision.

Article 45: Internet information departments shall make an administrative punishment decision within 90 days of opening an administrative punishment case.

Where it is not possible to make a decision within the prescribed time for reasons such as the case being complexity, an extension of 60 days may be given upon approval from the responsible person for that department. Where the case is especially complex or there are other special circumstances, and after the extension a disposition decision still cannot be made, the responsible person for the internet information department at the level above is to decide whether to continue the extension, and where the decision is to continue the extension, they shall concurrently determine a reasonable time for the extension; Where administrative punishment cases handled by the state internet information department need to be extended, the primary responsible person for the corresponding department is to approve it.

The time for hearings, inspections, evaluations, administrative assistance, and so forth in the course of handling a case is not calculated in the time periods provided for in the first and second paragraphs of this article.

Article 46: The administrative punishment decision shall be handed over to the party at the scene after its announcement; where the party is not at the scene, the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of the PRC shall be followed to serve the administrative punishment document on the party within seven working days.

Where the party agrees to sign a confirmation, the internet information department may use methods such as fax or email to serve the administrative punishment decision document on the party.

Chapter IV: Enforcement and Case Closure

Article 47: After the administrative punishment decision document is served, the parties fulfill them within the date indicated in the administrative punishment decision document.

Where parties truly have financial hardship, they may submit an application for an extension or for installment payments of fines, and submit written materials. Upon review by those undertaking the case, the period and amounts for the extension or installments are to be determined, and after being reported for approval to the responsible person for the internet information department it may be suspended or paid in installments.

Article 48: Where network operators violate relevant laws, administrative regulations, and departmental rules, and it is necessary for the departments in charge of telecommunications to close websites, revoke business permits or cancel filings related to value-added telecommunications services, it is to be transferred to the telecommunications departments.

Article 49: Where parties are unsatisfied with an administrative punishment decision, they may request an administrative reconsideration or raise an administrative lawsuit in accordance with law.

Where parties are dissatisfied with an administrative punishment decision, and apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit, enforcement of the administrative punishment does not stop, except as otherwise provided by law.

Where parties request an administrative reconsideration or initiate administrative litigation, additional fines shall not be calculated for the period of the administrative reconsideration or administrative litigation.

Article 50: Where parties but do not perform on administrative punishment decisions in the time required; the internet information department that made the administrative punishment decision may employ the following measures:

(1) Where the fine is not paid when it is due, an additional fine of 3% of the fine is to be imposed daily, but the amount of the additional fine must not exceed the amount of the fine;

(2) Apply for the people's courts to compel performance in accordance with the "PRC Law on Administrative Compulsion".

Where internet information departments approve extensions or payment in installments, the period for applying to the people's court to compel enforcement is to be calculated from the date of the suspension or the end of the period for paying the fines in installments.

Article 51: Where internet information departments apply to the people's courts for compulsory enforcement, an Exhortation to Perform on an Administrative Punishment Decision shall be completed before the application, urging the parties in writing to perform obligations, and informing them of the time and method for performing the obligations and their rights to make statements or defenses in accordance with law, and where additional fines are involved, the amount and method of payment is to be indicated.

Where parties make a statement or defense, the internet information departments shall make a record and review of the facts, grounds, and evidence presented by the parties, and draft a Statement and defense Record, and written Statement or Defense Review Comments. Where facts, reasoning, or evidence submitted by the parties is sustained, the internet information departments shall adopt them.

Where 10 working days after the Exhortation to Perform on an Administrative Punishment Decision was served, the parties still do not perform on the administrative punishment decision, the internet information departments may complete a Compulsory Enforcement of Administrative Punishment document, and apply to the local people's court with jurisdiction to compel enforcement.

Article 52: After performance or enforcement of an administrative punishment decision, where there are any of the following situations, law enforcement personnel shall complete an Administrative Punishment Case Conclusion Report, and organize and bind the materials related to the case, to be archived and stored.

(1) The performance or enforcement of the administrative punishment decision is complete;

(2) A people's court rules to terminate enforcement;

(3) The case concludes investigation;

(4) A decision provided for in article 42, item (2) is made;

(5) Other situations where a case shall be closed.

After a case is closed, the law enforcement personnel shall make a file and aggregate the case materials in accordance with relevant provisions on archive management. Cases shall be regularly and orderly archived with one case per file and complete materials.

Article 53: Internet information departments shall make a text or audio and video record of the entire process of administrative punishment in accordance with law, including initiation, investigation, collection of evidence, review, decision, service, and enforcement, and shall archive and store the records.

Article 54: Internet information departments carrying out administrative punishments shall accept societal oversight. Citizens, legal persons, or other organizations have the right to appeal or report internet information departments' conduct in carrying out administrative punishments, and the internet information departments shall earnestly review, and where errors are found, shall proactively correct them.

Chapter V: Supplementary Provisions

Article 55: Time limits in these Provisions that are calculated in times or days, do not include the time and date on which they start. Where the final day on which a time limit is completed is a legally-prescribed holiday, the period is to be completed on the day following the legally-prescribed holiday. Except as otherwise specified by laws and administrative regulations.

Article 56: “Above” [“higher”], “below” [“lower”], and “within” in these Provisions all include the named number or level.

Article 57: The state internet information department is responsible for formulating templates for documents related to administrative law enforcement. Each provincial, autonomous region, or directly governed municipality internet information department may refer to the document templates to draft document templates for administrative law enforcement in their administrative region, and issue these themselves.

Article 58: These provisions are to take effect from June 1, 2023. The Provisions on Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures for Internet Information Content Management published on May 2, 2017 (CAC order No.2) are concurrently revoked.