No selling of tools for bypassing firewalls or VPN accounts, no setting up such nodes for others

11. No selling of tools for bypassing firewalls or VPN accounts, no setting up such nodes for others

Cost: No expense or time required

In plain terms: Any individual or entity that builds their own outbound network connections or uses international channels outside of state-provided public telecom services may be ordered by police to cease internet access, receive a warning, and face fines up to 15,000 yuan plus confiscation of any illegal earnings. Those running businesses based on such services may be charged with illegal business operations; in severe cases, imprisonment of up to five years applies. This rule specifically addresses selling or setting up such nodes. For personal use only, the maximum penalty remains limited to a warning and fine as stipulated in Article 14 of the provisional regulations.

Benefit: Direct international internet connectivity must be facilitated via international gateway channels supplied by state-owned telecom networks. No organization or individual may independently establish or utilize any other channels, meaning neither private outbound connections nor third-party nodes are permitted. Violators face police orders to disconnect from the internet, warnings, and possible fines up to 15,000 yuan plus confiscation of illicit profits. Commercial operators violating this rule may be prosecuted for illegal business operations; severe violations incur up to five years imprisonment plus fines ranging from one to five times the illegal earnings. Particularly egregious cases may result in imprisonment exceeding five years nationwide.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: State Council of China (1997). Interim Provisions on the Management of International Networking of Computer Information Networks (Articles 6 and 14). <https://nyncw.cq.gov.cn/wsdw/zz/zhfb/wlyxxaq/202406/t20240619_13306645.html> (Reprinted by Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee); National People's Congress (2020). Criminal Law (Amended according to the 11th Amendment to the Criminal Law, Article 225, Item 4). <https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html>

Notes: At the time of drafting, no publicly documented court rulings regarding firewall circumvention were found on Supreme People’s Court or Supreme People’s Procuratorate websites, and regional enforcement practices vary widely; hence this B rating was assigned. This section exclusively addresses selling or setting up such nodes. For personal usage alone, the maximum penalty remains limited to warnings and fines as outlined in Article 14 of the provisional regulations.