China to clamp down on mapping websites: state media

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

SHANGHAI (AFP) — The Chinese government will clamp down on mapping websites and other online geographical information that it fears might undermine national security, state media reported Thursday.

Eight government agencies, including the foreign ministry, are to tighten supervision of geographical information available online, the official China Daily reported.

There are nearly 10,000 online map websites in China and authorities will close down most of them as they show maps without approval, said Min Yiren, deputy director with the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.

"Some websites publish sensitive or confidential geographical information, which might leak state secrets and threaten security," Min said.

A hotline has been set up for the public...