Article 10 of the 中国公用计算机互联网国际联网管理办法 is a bit redundant because even
though it bans using the internet to endanger state security, the criminal law already bans
endangering state security using the internet, postal mail, laser light shows, smoke
signals, or hand puppets.
The significant part of Article 10 is 发现上述违法犯罪行为和有害信息，
应及时向有关主管机关报告。
What that appears to mean is that if Taobao sells VPN software and that software
is then used to “endanger state security” then the MPT then has grounds to fine
Taobao or pull licenses. Taobao can’t just say “VPN’s? What VPN’s?”
One thing that I find interesting is that the PRC’s media policy seems to be to
“outsource” censorship to media companies in the same way and for the same
reasons that Western tax agencies “outsource” tax compliance to corporate
entities.