China requires ID from mobile phone buyers

Posted 02 Sep 2010

If a person teaching English in China needs to buy a mobile phone or sim card while working in the country they should take some identification (ID) with them.

From September 1st the Chinese government requires anyone who is purchasing a mobile phone in the country to have their ID checked and the number registered in a crack down against spammers.

The China Daily reported that Chinese mobile users receive on average 43 text messages a week and 12 of those are spam.

Furthermore, the regulations apply to anyone in China including foreigners on a visit or people teaching English in the country.

Previously, mobile phones and sim cards could be bought in shops or street kiosks with cash, which meant that anyone could purchase one and send spam or pornographic messages anonymously.

Wen Baoqiu, a company official from China Unicom, who will be strictly enforcing the regulations, said: "It will help reduce spam and fraudulent text messages, and also help us improve service to customers."

However, some critics have argued that this is just another way of the government to keep tabs on residents.

At the beginning of August, people in China could not access a question and answer page that was set up by Google over fears that the content could subvert the power of the state.
 

Category: Living Abroad