.广东

Status:	Proposed
country:	Guangdong, China
Language:	Chinese (Hans/Simplified)
Translates to:	"Guangdong"
Type:	IDN GeoTLD
Priority #:	79 - Guangzhou YU Wei Co (Zodiac) 1772 - Xinhua News Agency Guangdong Branch
More information:

.广东 is an IDN geoTLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. It translates as "Guangdong", a region in China.

Current Applications

1. Guangzhou YU Wei Information Technology Co., Ltd. (In partnership with Zodiac)
2. Xinhua News Agency Guangdong Branch. Community Application.

Community Application

Xinhua News Agency Guangdong Branch, the community applicant, applied with consultive help from CNNIC, the Chinese national registry, and the DotAsia Organisation. The application's contact is Edmon Chung, CEO of the DotAsia Organisation. "With a population of over 100 million, a GDP of over US$800 Billion, and established since AD 226, the community is sizable and has considerable longevity." The applicant defines the community as the individuals, organizations, and companies in Guangdong province, the international Cantonese language community, which originated from Guangdong originally, and companies interested in expanding into Guangdong. The applicant lists a number of organizations and regional representatives to which it intends to reach out and serve. "the Registry will work closely with community organizations and will invite community organizations in its policy development processes. Furthermore, the Applicant is official government agency of the Guangdong province." Their registration policy will be based off of the .asia charter.

The other applicant, Guangzhou YU Wei Information Technology Co., Ltd., did not apply for community priority. However, it claims that "[i]t is officially appointed and endorsed by the Guangdong provincial government with mission and purpose of applying for the relevant geographic gTLDs upon the launch of the ICANN new gTLD program and subsequently operating and managing these geographic gTLDs."

GAC Early Warning

In late 2012, The Chinese GAC representative issued a GAC Early Warning to Guangzhou YU Wei Information Technology Co., Ltd. regarding its application. It notes that it is a geographical name representing a significant and important area in China and that the government does not support its application. It recommends it withdraws its application immediately.

GAC warnings proceed official GAC advice, which is seen as a strong recommendation to the ICANN Board that a given application should not be approved. Entities are encouraged to respond and engage the GAC representatives regarding their applications.

Governmental Advisory Committee. Considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues (ICANN Bylaws).