Bloggers, try not to flinch

An Internet outcry over a proposed plan to require bloggers to register their identities with a government agency has convinced China to think twice, reports ZDNet.

The government has opted instead to disseminate a self-discipline code that only encourages bloggers to register under their real names.
Government officials advocated real-name enforcement to discourage the proliferation of slander, pornographic material and "harmful information" as determined by the Communist Party.

China is currently the world's second-largest online market, with over 140 million Internet users. The country makes an effort to block politically-oriented websites that counter sanctioned views, and closely monitors participation in online discussion groups.

Recently officials began limiting online gameplay for minors.