Chinese regulator to summon Internet portal reps for violations

China's Internet regulator on Tuesday said it has established a system to summon representatives from Internet portals if the websites violate regulations.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said executives of online news and information portals will be summoned for questioning for violating regulations, including publishing false information, pornography, and rumors.

Portals that do not address violations that have already been found in a timely manner will also be summoned for talks with the CAC.

Fan Li, an official in charge of online information services with the CAC, said at a press briefing Tuesday that the system was created to urge information providers to fix their problems more effectively.

The system will strengthen guidance and correction of errors, rather than simple punishment, Fan said, while adding that violations may still be penalized.

"If problems are not rectified after they have been summoned several times, (Internet portals) will be given heavier punishment," said Fan.

In February and April, the CAC summoned leaders from two major portals, Netease and Sina, to urge them to correct their violations, according to Fan.