Chinese government imposes new rules on e-mail

China has issued new regulations on Internet e-mail, in an effort to standardize registration procedures and crack down on unwanted email or "spam," an AFP report said.

The report, quoting Xinhua News Agency, said the Ministry of Information Industry would now require all Internet e-mail service providers to set up uniform technical standards and registration systems.

The regulations would take effect March 30, the report said.

According to the new rules, e-mail service providers must also set up mandated security measures, without elaborating what these measures should be, the report said.

E-mail advertisers must also first get the permission of e-mail subscribers before sending them advertisements. All advertisement e-mails must also be clearly marked as an "ad," the report said.