BEIJING, China – China has announced that it will ban Internet video Web sites that are not run by the government, further tightening its grip on the Internet.

China already outlaws criticism of the state. Starting January 31, only state-owned or state-controlled companies can apply for a government permit for Internet broadcasting licenses to use video programming or allow users to upload videos.

The new regulations state: “Those who provide Internet video services should insist on serving the people, serve socialism…and abide by the moral code of socialism.” Websites will not be allowed “to offer material that promotes sex, violence, gambling, religious cults or reveals state secrets,” and providers are required to report questionable content to the government.

These new rules mark a fresh attempt by the Chinese government to limit the internet habits of its increasingly web-savvy population. For decades, officials have been able to ensure that traditional media, including television and newspapers, conform to what they believe Chinese people should know.

China is the world’s second-largest Internet market by users. It already blocks sites such as Amnesty International, and limits the scope of the Google Inc. search engine to exclude anti-government sites on its pages in China.

The status of sites such as YouTube, a popular video-sharing site, remains in question. Few analysts, however, expect popular Chinese video-sharing sites to disappear after January 31.

For more information, please see:

ABC News (AP) – China Limits Providers of Internet Video – 3 January 2008

The New York Times – CHINA: Restrictions on Web Video and Audio – 4 January 2008

Forbes – China Clamps Down On Internet Video – 3 January 2008