Published by ChinaMNC · Danleng
How China’s Official Website Identification System Builds Trust for Foreign Founders
A practical guide for foreign entrepreneurs on China’s website identification and certification system, using the Sichuan Provincial Government’s portal as an example to explain evaluation metrics, validity periods, and inspections.
Why Website Identification Matters for Foreign Founders
When you set up an online presence for your China-registered company, credibility with local users, partners, and regulators is essential. China operates a formal website identification (标识) system that certifies official government and institutional websites. Understanding this system helps foreign founders recognize trustworthy sources and, if operating a company website, appreciate the standards that underpin digital trust in China.
This article uses the recently published evaluation data for the Sichuan Provincial Government portal to illustrate how the system works. The source is an official page titled “标识管理” (Identification Management) published on a government website. All details below are drawn from that source.
Overview of the Sichuan Provincial Government Portal
The portal (www.sc.gov.cn) is operated by the General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, a party and government organ. It carries an electronic identification number: DZJG20260100003479PW. This number is part of the official identification framework managed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and issued by the Internet Society of China (ISC).
For foreign founders, such identifiers are a quick way to verify that a website is an officially recognized government platform. Similar identifiers appear on many Chinese government and public-service sites, and they serve as a signal of authenticity.
Evaluation Metrics: What the Scores Mean
The source provides detailed evaluation scores for both the PC and WAP (mobile) versions of the portal. These scores cover usability for seniors (适老化), accessibility (无障碍), and overall effectiveness (效能指数). Understanding these dimensions can help foreign founders design more inclusive websites for the Chinese market.
PC Website Evaluation
- Senior-friendly evaluation: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 82, user assessment 83.
- Accessibility evaluation: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 83, user assessment 83.
- Effectiveness index: Comprehensiveness 100%, reliability 100%, robustness 100%.
- Overall score: 86.2.
WAP Website Evaluation
- Senior-friendly evaluation: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 82, user assessment 81.
- Accessibility evaluation: Self-assessment 100, institutional assessment 80, user assessment 82.
- Effectiveness index: Comprehensiveness 100%, reliability 100%, robustness 100%.
- Overall score: 85.4.
These scores show that the portal meets high standards in technical performance and has been assessed by multiple parties. For foreign founders, the takeaway is that Chinese users and institutions expect websites to be accessible, reliable, and usable across devices—including for seniors and people with disabilities.
Identification Certification and Validity
The identification certification for both the PC and WAP versions of the portal is valid for two years, from January 27, 2026, to January 26, 2028. The certification is supervised by the MIIT and issued by the Internet Society of China. This limited validity period means websites must periodically renew their certification, ensuring ongoing compliance.
Foreign founders should note that if they operate a website in China, participating in official certification schemes—where applicable—can enhance trust. However, the source only describes the government portal’s certification, not private-sector requirements.
Regular Inspections
The portal undergoes regular inspections (定期巡检). Scheduled inspection dates are July 26, 2026; January 26, 2027; and July 26, 2027. The source indicates that inspection results are “passed” (通过). This routine checking reinforces the reliability of the identification.
For foreign founders, this highlights the importance of maintaining website quality over time. Chinese regulators and users value consistency and periodic review.
Certificate and Report
A certificate for the portal’s senior-friendly and accessibility evaluation is available for download. The report is titled “四川省人民政府门户网站适老化及无障碍评测报告_用印版.pdf” (Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Portal Senior-friendly and Accessibility Evaluation Report – stamped version). The certificate is valid for two years, from January 27, 2026, to January 26, 2028.
Such reports provide transparency and can serve as a reference for best practices. Foreign founders building websites for the Chinese market can look to these evaluations to understand what constitutes a well-optimized, accessible site.
Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders
- Verify official sources: Look for electronic identification numbers (like DZJG20260100003479PW) on Chinese government websites to confirm authenticity.
- Design for accessibility and seniors: The evaluation criteria emphasize senior-friendly and accessibility features. Incorporate these into your website to reach a broader audience.
- Ensure reliability and robustness: The effectiveness index shows that comprehensiveness, reliability, and robustness are key. Invest in stable hosting and responsive design.
- Plan for periodic reviews: Certification and inspections occur regularly. Build a schedule for website audits and updates.
- Leverage official reports: Evaluation reports can guide your own website improvements.
While the source focuses on a government portal, the principles of identification, evaluation, and inspection reflect broader expectations for digital trust in China. Foreign founders who align with these standards can strengthen their credibility and user experience.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.