What organization owns the .gov domain?

Why do some websites use the ".gov" domain suffix? What kind of organization does this suffix represent?

The ".gov" domain is a top-level domain (TLD) in the Internet Domain Name System, specifically reserved for government entities. This type of domain is typically used by national or local government agencies to indicate that the website content is associated with official government business.

As a top-level domain (TLD), the ".gov" domain suffix is reserved specifically for government agencies. In China, official government websites end with ".gov.cn," while the US government uses ".gov." The purpose of using a ".gov" domain is to indicate that the website is an official government website, possessing high authority and credibility, which helps the public identify and trust the information they access.

The management requirements for ".gov" domains are strict. Government website domains should strictly use English domain names ending with ".gov.cn" and Chinese domain names ending with "政务" (government affairs), ensuring uniformity and standardization. The domain structure should be concise and clear, easy for the public to remember and access, while complying with relevant laws and regulations on domain name management.

Registration of ".gov" domains is strictly limited to Party and government organs or units legally exercising Party and government functions; it is not open to the public. This means that only government agencies are eligible to register and use .gov domains, further enhancing the authority and security of .gov domains.

Domestically, the .gov.cn domain is the top-level domain used by government agencies within China. Government agencies typically publish important information on their websites, making it an important method for achieving government transparency and openness. The .gov.cn domain is characterized by its authority, security, and large capacity, allowing government agencies to create more subdomains to meet various needs.