China greenlights establishment of root server

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has approved the establishment of a Domain Name System (DNS) root server by a research institute on Dec 6.

The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) has been permitted to set up a root server and a corresponding operating organization, the MIIT said, requiring that the academy observe relevant laws and regulations and be subject to supervision and inspection.

DNS translates easily-remembered domain names to numerical IP addresses, which can be recognized and processed through the internet. It facilitates the use of the internet by locating and identifying online resources.

As one of the most important infrastructure, root servers are essential to the internet and concern internet operations and information security.

While ensuring the stable operation of the server and providing quality service to users, the CAICT should also protect users' information security and safeguard national interests, the MIIT said.