The top-level domain (TLD) SINA does not exist as a TLD in the system of Domain Name System (DNS) on the Internet as of the sources checked at the time of the research. Top-level domains are the highest level of domain names in the hierarchical DNS of the Internet. The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. For example, in the domain name www.example.com, ‘.com’ represents the TLD.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for the coordination of maintenance and methodology of several databases of unique identifiers related to the namespaces of the Internet – and ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation, which includes TLDs. ICANN recognises the following types of TLDs: generic (gTLD), country code (ccTLD), infrastructure and internationalised (iDNS) (source: ICANN).
Generic TLDs, such as .com, .net, .org, are open to any registrants. Country code TLDs are assigned to specific geographical locations (for example, .uk for United Kingdom), and internationalised domain name (IDN) TLDs are in non-Latin character sets (for example, .中国 for China).
Notably, ‘.sina’ does not come under any of these recognized categories. However, the query for ‘.sina’ may be confusing the domain name ‘sina.com’, which is a popular domain in China held by SINA Corporation, a Chinese technology company. SINA Corporation is a leading online media company providing services through five main business lines: SINA Weibo, SINA Mobile, SINA Online, SINA.net, and SINA E-Commerce.
Though ‘.sina’ may not exist as a TLD, there is a process by which it could potentially be created in the future. ICANN opens up periods called “application windows” for proposing new gTLDs. During these periods, anyone can propose a new top-level domain to be added to the list of gTLDs sanctioned by ICANN. However, the process is quite complex, involving intensive review procedures and a hefty application fee. Therefore, at this time, ‘.sina’ is not a recognized TLD.
Key Sources used:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) [ https://www.icann.org/ ]
2. SINA Corporation [ https://corp.sina.com.cn/eng/ ]
3. DNS Knowledge [ https://www.dnsknowledge.com/ ]
4. Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief [ https://www.verisign.com/en\_US/domain-names/dnib/index.xhtml ]
