Seven ‘bottom lines’ for Chinese Social media

Beijing: China is banning users of Internet messaging services from posting political reports without permission, and demanding they promise to “uphold the socialist system”, state media said Thursday.

China controls the Internet, but its online population of 632 million has used messaging applications to push the boundaries of the ruling Communist party’s restrictions.

Internet companies are required to ensure that users of online messaging services register with their real names, state broadcaster China Central Television reported.

Users will be required to agree to “seven bottom lines”, including a vow to “uphold the socialist system”, a euphemism for China’s one-party dominated regime, when they register. The latest regulations appeared to be aimed at WeChat.