Internet freedoms in China

The screen says the Tianya activation system is to enhance the overall quality to users.

Bi Yantao contributed this written piece for the BBC Your Story project . These are his own personal views. He is a communication researcher based in China.

China's websites are beginning to impose the long debated true-name registration policy, which I believe will frustrate an increasing number of netizens in China.

Early this morning, I tried to register with the Tianya Community website, one of the most popular websites in China.

I am required to activate my account to be qualified to post. To activate my account, I have to obtain a Tianya code through my mobile phone, or by my own Tianya email. But to apply for a Tianya email account, I have to provide my true name and birth date.

In China all mobile phone users are already required to register with their real names. Tianya website has effectively adopted the controversial true-name registration system.

On the registration page the Tianya website explains these new measures are designed to stop illegal, nasty and harassing information. On these points I understand and support Tianya, but there is another side to the story. I am more concerned to what extent the new requirements will restrain critical voices, and how many websites will follow suit.

So far I am not clear how these new techniques help build China into a harmonious society.

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