Liu Guoliang Photo: VCG

China’s Ministry of Public Security has imposed administrative penalties on two individuals, surnamed Du and Tang, for circulating false information online about Liu Guoliang, deputy president of the International Table Tennis Federation, chairman of World Table Tennis, and former head of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, CCTV reported on Saturday.

According to the report, the cyberspace division of China’s public security department found that Du and Tang had maliciously spread rumors, which then went viral and caused serious negative consequences. Authorities said both individuals have been punished in accordance with the law by local public security bureaus.

The internet is not beyond the reach of the law, the ministry emphasized, urging all internet users to strictly comply with laws and regulations when posting content, and to refrain from fabricating or spreading false information.

The ministry stressed it will crack down on all acts of rumor-mongering in accordance with the law, with absolutely zero tolerance for such behavior.

Citizens are encouraged to enhance their legal awareness and ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to avoid creating, believing or transmitting rumors, in order to help maintain a clean, orderly cyberspace and a healthy social environment.

Global Times