15(b) Describe the process used for development of the IDN tables submitted, including consultations and sources used

Prototypical answer:

The IDN tables included for the applied for TLD are based on the CDNC IDN Language tables from CNNIC (zh-CN: http:⁄⁄www.iana.org⁄domains⁄idn-tables⁄tables⁄cn_zh-cn_4.0.html) and TWNIC (zh-TW: http:⁄⁄www.iana.org⁄domains⁄idn-tables⁄tables⁄tw_zh-tw_4.0.1.html) respectively.

The implementation of the two IDN tables is based on the .ASIA ZH IDN Language Policies for gTLDs and IDN related issues for this TLD have been developed with assistance from DotAsia Organisation. The language table is developed for the implementation of Chinese IDN registrations at a gTLD in coordination with the CDNC (Chinese Domain Name Consortium), based on

The source references for these tables include:
a) Unicode Tables Version 3.2
b) A Complete Set of Simplified Chinese Characters
c) Chinese Variants Collation Table
d) Chinese Big Dictionary
e) Chinese Relationship Table for Unihan Project
f) Chinese Standard GB2312
g) General Table for Modern Chinese
h) International Chinese Standard Big Dictionary
i) Unihan Database Reference
j) Big5 character encoding standard

The Registry understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of Chinese IDN registrations through appropriate implementation of character variants for Simplified Chinese (SC) and Traditional Chinese (TC). Unlike in the case of ccTLDs (e.g. for .CN or .TW) where one form of the Chinese characters is predominantly used, a gTLD is inherently global and requires the consideration of an environment where some of the users will be using SC (e.g. in Mainland China, Singapore, etc.), while others may be using TC (e.g. in Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, etc.).

Therefore, the implementation incorporates both the zh-CN and zh-TW tables. More specifically, when generating IDN Variants, the Preferred Variants from both tables will be generated: one corresponding to the zh-CN Preferred Variant column, i.e. Preferred Simplified Variant; and the other correspodning to the zh-TW Preferred Variant column, i.e. Preferred Traditional Variant.

The tables are compliant with the RFC3743-defined format, and is in compliance with CDNC policies, and the ICANN Guidelines for IDN registration and for publication in the IANA Repository of IDN Practices.

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