The internet code for for the country of China
.cn Domain Names
CNNIC, the China Internet Network Information Center, has temporarily suspended new registrations from overseas registrars such as Name.com starting January 6, 2010. Name.com has been informed that this suspension is only temporary, and is in an effort to implement a better methodology to verify registrant information from overseas registrations. Our understanding is that this only affects new registrations.
China's own .CN domain extension has seen explosive growth since being opened to registrants throughout the world. Earlier this year .CN surpassed both .NET and .DE to become the second most registered domain extension with over 13 million active .CN addresses registered so far.
.CN offers registrants the protection of a well-established brand name in what has become one of the most lucrative marketplaces in the world. In addition, .CN can put Chinese customers at ease, giving them the security of dealing with businesses that have a "localized" Chinese presence as well as an international one. Finally, .CN enjoys widespread notoriety and recognition among the Chinese population, and is a simple and memorable Web domain.
A .CN domain name is a great way to start to establish a brand in China. Your business or organization can benefit greatly by adding .CN domains to your current .COM, .NET and .ORG presence.
What is a .CN domain?
The .CN domain is a ccTLD (country code top level domain) and Internet code for for the country of China. Located in Eastern Asia, China borders the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. The country covers 3,705,407 square miles, an area slightly smaller than the United States. According to the July 2008 census, the population was 1,330,044,544 people. The official language of China is Standard Chinese or Mandarin, but Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, and Hakka dialects are also spoken widely.
Are there any restrictions for registering a .CN domain?
CNNIC, the China Internet Network Information Center, requires the following information for the registration of all .CN domains:
The completed domain name registration application form, with the seal of the business OR signature of a representative from the business. The form will be provided to the applicant by Name.com.
A photocopy of the business license. Business license means the official document of the business, company, or organization (such as company or organization registration).
A photocopy of the applicant's personal ID. Acceptable personal ID may include copies of a driver's license, passport, or resident card/ID.
After payment has been received for the .CN registration, a Name.com representative will be in contact with the applicant via email, providing the domain name registration application form.
The domain name registration application form, as well as all supporting documentation, must be returned to Name.com within 24 hours.
The Admin, Technical, Billing, and Registrant contact provided on the domain name registration application form MUST match the Admin, Technical, Billing, and Registrant contact details listed in your Name.com account.
CNNIC does not provide registrars such as Name.com with the ability to track the status of applications. CNNIC may take up to 3 days to complete their audit of the submitted documentation.
Once the application has passed the CNNIC verification process, the domain name will be manageable from inside your Name.com account.
Applicants will receive a complete refund if they do not pass the CNNIC verification process.
It is also important to note that the .CN registry has some censorship. The .CN registry does not allow the registration of any domain names that refer to the following:olympics, pornography, gambling, prostitution, China's government, or table tennis.