In the first round of new generic top-level domain (gTLD) application projects, “.网络” was one of the earliest Chinese new gTLDs applied for and incorporated into the root. It is managed and operated by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) and was officially written into the global Internet root domain name system on January 21, 2014.

Chinese domain names are a new generation of domain names that contain Chinese characters English domain names, serve as addresses on the Internet. Chinese domain names are a basic service on the Internet. After registration, they can provide application services such as WWW, Email, and FTP. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) is responsible for the operation and management of four Chinese top-level domains ending with “.CN,” “.中国,” “.公司,” and “.网络.”

The registration management institutions for “.公司” and “.网络,” the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), were established with the approval of the national competent authorities on June 3, 1997. As the builder and operator of China's information society infrastructure, CNNIC is committed to “providing services for Chinese Internet users and promoting the healthy and orderly development of China's Internet.” It is responsible for managing and maintaining China's Internet address system, developing China's Internet address industry, publishing statistics on China's Internet, and representing China in the international Internet community.