A blog site that only allows users to publish blogs and comments using the writers' real names, believed to be the first in China, was launched on Monday.

 

The website, www.blshe.com, targets Chinese intellectuals and aims to become an online platform for communication, social contacts, and business according to founder Mao Xiaolin.

 

"Chinese intellectuals are enthusiastic about social affairs and are willing to express their opinions on society," Ma said. "By establishing blogs on the site, they can add up their personal influence and put their knowledge to use," he added.

 

A user can only register on the website after being invited by the website, being recommended by another user, or through self-introduction with valid proof. The website will check the work background and identity of every applicant.

 

By the end of 2006, the number of bloggers in China had reached 20.8 million, of whom 3.15 million are active writers, according to the China Internet Survey Report 2007 released earlier this month.

 

Blogging has become a new trend in Internet information communication, with both public figures and private citizens using blogs to express their thoughts.

 

However, blogs have also led to numerous disputes. In 2006, the number of bloggers who had infringed on people's privacy and libeled or slandered others alarmed the government, which initiated a study on implementing real-name blogs.

 

China Internet Association Councilor Hu Qiheng said while bloggers may have to identify themselves when they register, they can continue to write their blogs under pseudonyms.

 

China had 137 million people online by the end of last year, up almost twenty-five percent from 2005, according to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC).

 

During the one-month test run of www.blshe.com, more than 2,000 people from academic, media, education, and business circles as well as some freelancers have registered as users. None of them are using pseudonyms.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2007)