China's central government has formally launched its official Web site.
The www.gov.cn site serves as a platform for the central and regional governments to release information and provide some online services.
There is also an English-language section with information on recent government news, biographies of officials and information for travelers to the country.
China's official Xinhua news agency quotes the Web site's editor-in-chief as saying the site works to increase government transparency and prevent "miscommunication" between the government and the people.
China's central government has come under criticism in recent months for moves that tighten control over the Internet.
New regulations forbid Internet news sites from publishing information that goes against what the government calls China's security and public interest.