2 000 'unhealthy' sites closed
2006-02-06 11:58
Beijing - Chinese regulators closed down more than 2 000 websites last year because they had too much sex, violence or politics, state media reported on Monday.
The crackdown was part of a nationwide campaign to eradicate the distribution of pornography and other illegal activities, the Beijing Morning Post said.
The paper referred to the websites as "unhealthy", a word describing a broad range of illegal content including pornography, excessive violence and sensitive political or religious issues.
China has stepped up its policing on the internet in recent months in a bid to stem what it sees as an unhealthy influence on the young.
The General Administration of Press and Publication said in November it had already issued warnings to 53 websites that provide downloads for pornographic games.
The Chinese government announced revised internet rules in September that require internet operators to re-register their news sites and police them for content that can "endanger state security" and "social order".
Any content that "harms national security, reveals state secrets, subverts political power, (and) undermines national unity" is also banned.
The regulations further prohibit posts that "instigate illegal gatherings, formation of associations, marches, demonstrations or disturb social order".