Published by ChinaMNC · Pingchang
China’s Website Identification System: Compliance Essentials for Foreign Founders
A practical guide for foreign founders on China’s website identification and certification system, using the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government portal as a case study. Learn about validity periods, inspections, and evaluation criteria.
Understanding China’s Website Identification System
For foreign founders operating a company in China, digital compliance is not optional. One key framework is the website identification system administered by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and issued by the Internet Society of China (ISC). This system certifies official websites, ensuring they meet standards for accessibility, performance, and reliability. The recent evaluation of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government portal offers a concrete example of how the system works in practice.
Key Components of the Identification System
Issuing Authorities and Validity
The website identification is overseen by the MIIT and issued by the ISC. Certifications are valid for two years. For the Sichuan portal, both the PC and WAP site identifications are valid from January 27, 2026, to January 26, 2028. Foreign founders should note that similar certifications for their corporate websites would follow the same two-year cycle, requiring renewal.
Evaluation Metrics
Websites are assessed on multiple dimensions, including accessibility for the elderly and disabled, as well as overall performance. The evaluation combines self-assessment, institutional review, and user feedback. For the Sichuan PC site, scores were: elderly-friendly self-evaluation 100, institutional 82, user 83; accessibility self-evaluation 100, institutional 83, user 83. The efficiency index (comprehensiveness, reliability, robustness) was 100% across all three, yielding an overall score of 86.2. For the WAP site, elderly-friendly self-evaluation 100, institutional 82, user 81; accessibility self-evaluation 100, institutional 80, user 82; efficiency index all 100%, overall score 85.4.
Periodic Inspections
Certified websites undergo regular inspections. For the Sichuan portal, inspections are scheduled for July 26, 2026; January 26, 2027; and July 26, 2027. Results are recorded as “passed.” Foreign founders should prepare for similar periodic reviews to maintain their certification.
Certificate and Reporting
The certification includes a downloadable report, such as the “Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Portal Accessibility and Elderly-Friendly Evaluation Report (sealed version).” This documentation can be useful for demonstrating compliance to partners or authorities.
Practical Implications for Foreign Founders
If you are establishing a company in China and plan to operate a website, understanding this identification system is crucial. While the example pertains to a government portal, the principles apply to corporate sites: ensuring accessibility, undergoing periodic evaluations, and maintaining valid certification. Non-compliance could affect your online operations and credibility.
To navigate this process, consider the following steps:
- Verify if your website requires certification. Government-related sites typically must comply, but commercial sites may also benefit from voluntary certification to enhance trust.
- Prepare for accessibility standards. The evaluation includes elderly-friendly and accessibility criteria, so design your site accordingly.
- Plan for periodic inspections. Mark the inspection dates and ensure your site remains compliant.
- Keep documentation. Download and store certification reports for future reference.
By aligning with these requirements, foreign founders can build a reliable online presence in China’s regulated digital landscape.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.
For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.