After viewing content on foreign websites, simply close the page — do not screenshot, share, repost, or discuss it in any groups or comment sections.

3. After viewing content on foreign websites, simply close the page — do not screenshot, share, repost, or discuss it in any groups or comment sections.

Cost: No cost involved. Once the page is closed, the matter is over. There is no need to archive, share, or repost the content to domestic platforms. You also don’t need an account tied to your real identity to post political content on foreign platforms, nor should you accept any payments or funding from foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals. The real challenge is resisting the urge to screenshot or share content that seems shocking or provocative.

In plain terms: Viewing overseas websites is not restricted by law, but downloading, screenshotting, or reposting content to domestic groups or social media is legally classified as dissemination. If that material touches on state security, inciting subversion, or separatism, penalties range from administrative detention to multi-year prison sentences. An explicit exception applies to materials promoting terrorism or extremism: simply possessing such files with knowledge of their nature is a crime carrying up to three years in prison under Article 120-6 of the Criminal Law. For all other sensitive foreign content, simply close the browser window — never screenshot, save, or share it anywhere.

Benefit: Those who spread false information, slander, or otherwise incite others to subvert state authority or overthrow socialism face up to five years in prison; leaders or major offenders may receive up to fifteen years. Similar penalties apply to those inciting separatism or undermining national unity. Collaborating with foreign entities to commit these acts results in harsher sentences. Funding such activities from abroad leads to penalties of five years or less for responsible individuals; repeat offenders face more than five years. Illegally obtaining or providing state secrets or intelligence to foreign entities results in five to ten years in prison; especially severe cases may lead to life imprisonment or over ten years. Even lesser violations still incur a mandatory deprivation of political rights for one to five years, during which voting rights and eligibility for public office are suspended. Additional penalties may include confiscation of personal assets. Administrative violations also carry penalties.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: National People's Congress (1997). Criminal Law (Articles 45, 55, 56, 103, 105, 106, 107, 111, 113, these articles have not been modified by amendments). <https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml>; National People's Congress Standing Committee (2025). Cybersecurity Law (amended in 2025, effective on January 1, 2026, Article 13, paragraph 2, Article 71, paragraph 1). <https://www.cac.gov.cn/2025-12/29/c_1768735112911946.htm>; National People's Congress Standing Committee (2015). Criminal Law Amendment (9) (New Article 120-6). Full text reprinted by the National Bureau of Letters and Calls <https://www.gjxfj.gov.cn/gjxfj/fgwj/flfg/webinfo/2017/03/1601761496614423.htm>

Notes: The provisions cited here apply to actions of inciting others, spreading content, or providing it to third parties — not merely viewing it. This rule applies only to ordinary content. Materials promoting terrorism or extremism are explicitly exempted by law; mere possession of such materials can lead to criminal charges (Article 120-6). For these materials, refraining from archiving or sharing is not merely a precaution — it is a legal requirement. Upon encountering such content, you must stop at viewing it alone: no screenshots, no sharing, no comments, and no attempts to involve others. Reposting or commenting is deemed dissemination, and claims such as “I only reposted it” do not serve as a defense. Content originating from foreign platforms may attract even harsher penalties. When in doubt about authenticity, avoid sharing it altogether — this aligns with the advice in Section 1 of this chapter regarding not sharing unverified information. Penalties related to the use of tools for circumventing internet restrictions are covered in Section 11, Article 11. In reality, sharing such content offers no tangible benefits; instead, it risks lengthy imprisonment, loss of political rights, and confiscation of assets. Publicly documented cases involving similar offenses are rare, typically reported only by foreign media or disclosed by family members; one example is a blogger who posted political commentary abroad and was sentenced to seven years in 2023. As no official court rulings have been verified for this book, this section outlines legal provisions without referencing specific cases.