Opinions concerning Strengthening the Supervision of Internet Mapping and Geographical Information Service Websites

GCTZ No. [2008]1

All provincial, autonomous region and municipal Peoples’ Government, all State Council ministries and commissions, all directly subordinate organs:

Following the progress of satellite positioning technology, remote sensing technology, geographical information system technology and network technology, and development speed of mapping and geographical information services based on the Internet have, at the same time as providing conveniences to people’s work and lives, presented many problems that should not be overlooked. A number of work units and individuals have, in violation of the provision of relevant State laws and regulations, provided unauthorized Internet mapping and geographical information services without qualifications or approval, have published erroneous national maps, and indicated some geographical coordinate information that is sensitive, should not have been published or even involves State secrets. The emergence of these problems has gravely harmed the national interest and threatened national security. In order to strengthen supervision and management of Internet mapping and geographical information service websites, and with the agreement of the State Council, hereby, the following opinions are put forward:

I, Fully understand the importance of strengthening supervision and management of Internet mapping and geographical information services

Geographical information is important basic data for national economic construction and national security. Internet mapping is an important carrier for geographical information, like other maps, it is an important manifestation form for State maps, and reflects a country’s will in the area of sovereignty, and its political and foreign relations viewpoints in international society, it has a rigorous scientific nature, a serious political nature and a grave legal nature. Errors occurring in internet mapping not only harm the interest of consumers, but they also harm the national interest, the dignity of the nation, and may even engender extremely nasty political influences; if  important geographical information data and attributes are indicated, added or disseminated on Internet maps, it may divulge State secrets, and create hidden dangers for national security.

All localities and all relevant departments must absolutely, in line with the spirit of holding high responsibility for State sovereignty, the dignity of the nation and the direct interests of the popular masses, and from the strategic heights of stressing politics and safeguarding national security, fully understand the importance of strengthening supervision and management work over Internet mapping and geographical information service websites, further standardize acts of  compiling, publishing and disseminating maps, and uploading geographical information, deeply launch propaganda and education activities concerning a mentality of the national territory and a mentality of secret protection, and stop the dissemination on the Internet of “problem maps” that harm national sovereignty and security, and the dignity of the nation.

II, Strictly implement market access systems for Internet mapping and geographical information service activities

Internet mapping is a special map product, engaging in Internet mapping and geographical information service activities must respect the provisions of State laws and regulations. Engaging in Internet mapping compilation activities must be examined and approved by the State Council administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping, and corresponding survey and mapping qualification letters must be obtained. Engaging in Internet mapping publishing activities shall be examined and approved by the State Council department for press and publications, and an Internet publishing permit is to be obtained. Foreign organizations or individuals may not engage in Internet mapping compilation and publishing activities within the borders of our countries.

Before the uploading or publication of Internet maps, they shall be reported to the State administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping, or the provincial, autonomous region or municipal administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping; those engaging in Internet mapping and geographical information services shall apply for a Internet information service business permit or implement filing procedures with the controlling department for information industry (telecommunications) according the law. No work unit or individual may publish important geographical information data on the Internet without authorization. Those who need to use important geographical information data on the Internet shall use important geographical information data published according to the law. The use of survey and mapping results involving State secrets to develop and produce Internet maps and provide geographical information services, must first be subject to secrecy preservation procedures by the State Council administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping, or the provincial, autonomous region or municipal administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping.

III, Further strengthening supervision and management over Internet mapping and geographical information services websites

Administrative controlling departments for surveys and mapping must strengthen management of Internet mapping survey and mapping qualifications and pre-publication or uploading examination and verification of Internet maps; adopt measures to firmly prevent the dissemination of maps relating to secrets, high-precision coordinate results and important topographical or surface information, etc. They must accelerate the construction of public geographical information service platforms, vigorously prepare public digitalized mapping products and stimulate the socialized application of survey and mapping results.

Administrative press and publications departments must strengthen management over Internet map publishing, strictly implement regulations concerning Internet map publication management, and investigate and prosecute Internet map publication acts that violate State publishing regulations.

Administrative industry and commerce management departments must, at the same time as receiving Internet mapping and geographical information service website (enterprise) registration, investigate whether or not they have obtained corresponding survey and mapping certification letters issued by the administrative controlling department for surveys and mapping, and an Internet publishing permit for Internet mapping publication business issued by the administrative press and publications department.

Secrecy preservation departments must strengthen guidance over Internet mapping and geographical information security and secrecy preservation work, and strictly investigate and prosecute acts violating laws and regulations, in which State secrets are divulged, together with relevant departments.

Telecommunications management departments must assist and cooperate with relevant controlling departments to strengthen supervision and management over Internet mapping and geographical information service websites. Corresponding relevant departments must make the administrative punishment decision to close Internet mapping and geographical information service websites that endanger national sovereignty, security and interests; where websites refuse to carry out [orders], telecommunications management departments notify Internet access service providers to cease providing access services to them.

IV, Strictly investigate and prosecute acts violating laws and regulations in Internet mapping and geographical information services

All relevant departments must exert efforts and launch a special Internet mapping campaign, to standardize Internet mapping and geographical information service activities, and strengthen daily supervision and management. All localities must, on the basis of the local real situation, conduct complete and through inspection of Internet mapping and geographical information service websites in their administrative areas. All Internet maps that have not been examined and approved by national or provincial-level administrative surveys and mapping controlling departments may not be uploaded or transmitted without exception; Internet maps that contain problems must be investigated, prosecuted and rectified according to the law. All business subjects who have not obtained permits to engage in the Internet map publishing business, are to cease Internet map publishing activities without exception. It is necessary to further expand strengths to attack unlawful engagement in Internet mapping and geographical information service activities with model unlawful cases with grave circumstances and strong social reaction as break-through points, and publish a list of names of work units and enterprises that have gravely broken the law in Internet mapping and geographical information services, as well as the investigation and prosecution situation of model unlawful cases.

V, Deeply launch propaganda and education activities concerning the national map and a sense of security and secrecy preservation

All localities and all relevant departments must, at the same time as continuing to deeply launch propaganda and education about a consciousness for the national map, strengthen network information security propaganda and education work, adopt many kinds of ways to broadly and deeply propagate laws and regulations on map management, secrecy preservation, etc. Education website operators are to run websites according to the law and in a civilized manner, end educate citizens not to upload geographical information that should not be published onto the Internet. Guide the Internet mapping and geographical information service sector to strengthen self-discipline, and strengthen a sense of information security and social responsibility with website operators. Establish reporting and reward systems, to encourage the broad popular masses to vigorously report cases in which Internet maps and geographical information divulges secrets in violation of laws and regulations, and give rein to the role of the public in participating in social supervision.

Enterprises who engage in Internet mapping and geographical information services according to the law must strictly discipline themselves, it is prohibited to transmit, indicate or publish “problem maps” that endanger national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and geographical information that may harm national security.

VI, Vigorously move the construction of a legal system for Internet mapping and geographical information service management forward

Relevant departments must accelerate the revision work of the “Map Compilation and Publication Management Regulations of the People’s Republic of China”, formulate corresponding supplementary rules, ensure that there are laws to rely on and matters are administered according to the law, further standardize Internet mapping and geographical information service websites’ activities, strengthen security and secret preservation measures.

The relevant State Council departments must mutually cooperate, and in a coordinated manner guide the various relevant provincial, autonomous region and municipal departments in conducting Internet mapping and geographical information service website supervision and management work, and regularly conduct supervision and inspection of the work situation. They must establish situation reporting systems with participation of relevant departments, timely report and deal with acts violating laws and regulations that appear in Internet mapping and geographical information services. All local levels’ people’s Governments must organize and coordinate that relevant departments adopt long-time effective, realistic and feasible supervision and management measures, strengthen supervision and management over Internet mapping and geographical information service websites, and stimulate the construction of a harmonious network  and the flourishing and development of the geographical information industry.

Survey and Mapping Bureau          Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Public Security               Ministry of Information Industry

State Administration of Industry and Commerce General Administration of Press and Publications

State Council Information Office     Secrecy Preservation Bureau

25 February 2008

关于加强互联网地图和地理信息服务网站监管的意见
国测图字[2008]1号
各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，国务院各部委、各直属机构：

随着卫星定位技术、遥感技术、地理信息系统技术和网络技术的进步，基于互联网的地图和地理信息服务发展迅速，在给人们的工作、生活提供便利的同时，也出现了许多不容忽视的问题。一些单位和个人违反国家有关法律法规的规定，不具资质或未经批准，擅自提供互联网地图和地理信息服务，发布错误的国家版图，把一些敏感的、不宜公开的、甚至是涉及国家秘密的相关地理坐标数据信息标注在互联网地图上。这些问题的出现，严重损害了国家利益，威胁国家安全。为加强互联网地图和地理信息服务网站的监督管理，经国务院同意，现提出以下意见：

一、充分认识加强互联网地图和地理信息服务网站监管的重要性

地理信息是国民经济建设和国家安全的重要基础数据。互联网地图作为地理信息的载体之一，同其他地图一样，是国家版图的主要表现形式，体现着一个国家在主权方面的意志和在国际社会中的政治、外交立场，具有严密的科学性、严肃的政治性和严格的法定性。互联网地图出现错误，不仅损害消费者的利益，而且损害国家利益、民族尊严，甚至可能造成极为恶劣的政治影响；如果在互联网地图上擅自标注、加载、上传重要地理信息数据和属性，就有可能泄露国家秘密，给国家安全造成隐患。

各地区和各有关部门一定要本着对国家主权、民族尊严和人民群众切身利益高度负责的精神，从讲政治和维护国家安全的战略高度，充分认识加强互联网地图和地理信息服务网站监管工作的重要性，进一步规范互联网地图编制、出版、登载和上传地理信息的行为，深入开展国家版图意识和安全保密意识的宣传教育活动，杜绝损害国家主权、安全和民族尊严的“问题地图”在互联网上传播。

二、严格执行互联网地图和地理信息服务活动的市场准入制度

互联网地图是一种特殊的地图产品，从事互联网地图和地理信息服务活动必须遵守国家法律法规的规定。从事互联网地图编制活动，必须经国务院测绘行政主管部门审批，并取得相应的测绘资质证书。从事互联网地图出版活动，应经国务院新闻出版部门审批，并取得互联网出版许可证。外国的组织或者个人不得在我国境内从事互联网地图编制和出版活动。

互联网地图在登载、出版前，应当报国务院测绘行政主管部门或者省、自治区、直辖市测绘行政主管部门审核；从事互联网地图和地理信息服务的，应当依法向信息产业（通信）主管部门申请办理互联网信息服务经营许可证或者履行备案手续。任何单位和个人不得在互联网上擅自公布重要地理信息数据。在互联网上需要使用重要地理信息数据的，应当使用依法公布的重要地理信息数据。利用涉及国家秘密的测绘成果开发生产互联网地图和提供地理信息服务，必须先经国务院测绘行政主管部门或者省、自治区、直辖市测绘行政主管部门进行保密技术处理。

三、进一步加强对互联网地图和地理信息服务网站的监管

测绘行政主管部门要加强互联网地图测绘资质的管理和互联网地图登载、出版前的审核；采取措施，坚决制止涉密地图、高精度坐标成果及重要地形地物属性等通过网络扩散。要加快地理信息公共服务平台建设，积极研制公众版数字化地图产品，促进测绘成果的社会化应用。

新闻出版行政部门要加强互联网地图出版管理，严格执行互联网地图出版管理的有关规定，对违反国家出版法规的互联网地图出版行为进行查处。

工商行政管理部门在受理互联网地图和地理信息服务网站（企业）登记注册时，要查验是否取得了测绘行政主管部门颁发的相应测绘资质证书和新闻出版行政部门颁发的具有互联网地图出版业务的互联网出版许可证。

保密部门要加强对互联网地图和地理信息安全保密工作的指导，会同有关部门严肃查处泄露国家秘密的违法违规行为。

通信管理部门要协助配合有关主管部门加强对互联网地图和地理信息服务网站的监管。对危害国家主权、安全和利益的互联网地图和地理信息服务网站，相关主管部门要做出关闭网站的行政处罚；网站拒不执行的，通信管理部门依法通知互联网接入服务提供者停止为其网站提供接入服务。

四、严肃查处互联网地图和地理信息服务违法违规行为

各有关部门要着力开展对互联网地图的专项整治，规范互联网地图和地理信息服务活动，并强化日常监管。各地区要根据本地实际情况，对本行政区域内的互联网地图和地理信息服务网站进行全面、彻底的检查。凡未经国家或省级测绘行政主管部门审核批准的互联网地图，一律不得登载和转发；对于存在问题的互联网地图，要依法查处纠正。凡未取得从事互联网地图出版业务许可的经营主体，一律停止互联网地图出版活动。要以情节严重、社会反响强烈的典型违法案件为突破口，进一步加大打击违法从事互联网地图和地理信息服务活动的力度，公布互联网地图和地理信息服务中严重违法的单位和企业名单以及典型违法案件查处情况。

五、深入开展国家版图和安全保密意识的宣传教育活动

各地区、各有关部门要在继续深入开展国家版图意识宣传教育的同时，加强网络信息安全的宣传教育工作，采取多种形式，广泛深入地宣传地图管理、保密等法律法规。教育网站经营者依法文明办网，教育公民不向互联网上传不宜公开的地理信息。引导互联网地图和地理信息服务行业加强自律，强化网站经营者的信息安全意识和社会责任感。建立举报奖励制度，鼓励广大人民群众积极举报违法违规互联网地图和地理信息泄密案件，发挥公众参与和社会监督作用。

依法从事互联网地图和地理信息服务的企业要严格自律，禁止传输、标注、发布危害国家主权和领土完整的“问题地图”和可能危害国家安全的地理信息。

六、积极推进互联网地图和地理信息服务管理的法制建设

有关部门要加快《中华人民共和国地图编制出版管理条例》的修订工作，制定相应的配套规章，做到有法可依，依法行政，进一步规范互联网地图和地理信息服务网站活动，强化安全保密措施。

国务院有关部门要相互配合，协调指导各省、自治区、直辖市有关部门开展互联网地图和地理信息服务网站监管工作，定期对工作情况进行督促检查。要建立由有关部门参加的情况通报制度，及时通报、处理互联网地图和地理信息服务中出现的违法违规行为。地方各级人民政府要组织协调有关部门采取长期有效、切实可行的监管措施，加强互联网地图和地理信息服务网站的监管，促进和谐网络建设和地理信息产业的繁荣发展。

测 绘 局　　　　　　　　　外 交 部

公 安 部　　　　　　　　　信息产业部

工 商 总 局　　　　　　　新闻出版总署

新 闻 办　　　　　　　　　保 密 局

二〇〇八年二月二十五日