Published by ChinaMNC · Xiangyang
Website Identification Management for Foreign Founders: Insights from Hegang City Government Portal
A practical guide for foreign founders on China's website identification management, using the Hegang City Government portal as a case study. Learn about certification validity, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements.
Understanding Website Identification Management in China
For foreign founders establishing an online presence in China, compliance with website identification regulations is essential. The Hegang City Government portal (www.hegang.gov.cn) serves as an illustrative example of how Chinese government entities manage website identification. This article extracts key facts from its official identification record to provide practical guidance for foreign entrepreneurs.
Issuing Authorities and Validity Period
The website identification system is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), with certificates issued by the Internet Society of China (ISC). For the Hegang portal, both the PC and WAP versions hold identification certificates valid for two years, from December 30, 2025, to December 29, 2027. This indicates that website identification credentials are time-limited and require periodic renewal.
Evaluation Metrics for Website Performance
The source provides detailed evaluation scores for the Hegang portal, which shed light on the criteria used to assess website compliance and quality. These evaluations cover two main areas: senior-friendly accessibility and barrier-free accessibility, each with self-assessment, institutional assessment, and user assessment scores.
- PC Website Senior-Friendly Accessibility: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 78, user assessment 80.
- PC Website Barrier-Free Accessibility: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 83, user assessment 84.
- WAP Website Senior-Friendly Accessibility: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 80, user assessment 81.
- WAP Website Barrier-Free Accessibility: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 82, user assessment 83.
Additionally, an efficiency index is reported with 100% for comprehensiveness, reliability, and robustness in both PC and WAP versions. The overall evaluation scores are 85 for PC and 85.2 for WAP. These metrics suggest that foreign founders should prioritize accessibility features and performance reliability to meet Chinese regulatory expectations.
Regular Inspections and Certification
The identification record lists scheduled inspections on June 29, 2026; December 29, 2026; and June 29, 2027, all with a result of “passed.” This implies that website identification is not a one-time process but requires ongoing compliance checks. A certificate is also available for download, specifically a report on senior-friendly and barrier-free evaluation for the Hegang portal, stamped with an official seal.
Practical Implications for Foreign Founders
Based on the facts above, foreign founders should consider the following when registering or operating a company website in China:
- Obtain proper identification: Ensure your website is certified by the ISC under MIIT oversight, with a validity period of two years.
- Focus on accessibility: Implement senior-friendly and barrier-free features, as these are evaluated and scored.
- Prepare for regular inspections: Schedule and pass periodic inspections to maintain certification.
- Maintain high performance: Aim for high scores in comprehensiveness, reliability, and robustness.
While the Hegang example pertains to a government portal, the underlying requirements reflect broader Chinese internet regulations that apply to commercial websites as well. Foreign founders should consult local authorities or legal advisors to ensure full compliance.
Note: This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.