Do not sell circumvention tools or VPN accounts, or build such nodes for others
Under China's international-networking rules, using or establishing international channels outside the state public channels can bring an order to stop, a warning, a fine up to RMB 15,000 and confiscation of proceeds. Commercial operations may be prosecuted as illegal business operations, carrying up to 5 years in serious cases. This entry concerns selling and building nodes; the source describes personal use as subject to warning and fine.
What it takes
No money or time.
What you may gain
Direct international networking must use international gateways supplied by the state public telecommunications network. Organizations and individuals may neither establish nor use other channels, including channels built by someone else. Police may order cessation, issue a warning, impose up to RMB 15,000 and confiscate proceeds. Commercial provision may be treated as illegal business operations: serious cases carry up to 5 years and/or a fine of 1–5 times illegal proceeds, and particularly serious cases more than 5 years. These rules concern China.
Context & considerations
No published circumvention judgment was found on the Supreme Court or Procuratorate websites when this chapter was written, and local practice varies substantially, hence grade B. For personal use, the source describes Article 14's warning and fine as the maximum administrative penalty.
Research & references
State Council of China (1997). Interim Provisions on the Administration of International Networking of Computer Information Networks, Articles 6 and 14. https://nyncw.cq.gov.cn/wsdw/zz/zhfb/wlyxxaq/202406/t20240619_13306645.html (Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission reprint); National People's Congress of China (2020). Criminal Law incorporating Amendment XI, Article 225(4). https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html