Websites apologize for porn content

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-01-08 16:21

Major Chinese websites, including Sohu, Sina, and Baidu have apologized for having pornographic materials, following the government's pledge on Monday to clean "vulgar" contents on the web.

"We feel deeply guilty," Baidu said in a statement on its website. "We apologize to Internet users for any negative effects on the society."

Sina also issued a public apology, saying it felt deeply sad and concerned as to its problems and any harm they could possibly have caused to cyber users.

Google promised on its blog to "work hard" to build a healthier internet culture.

Some 19 websites -- including popular portals Sina and Sohu, and search engine giants Google and Baidu -- have been listed by authorities for failing to block pornographic and "vulgar" materials.

"The government will continue to expose, punish or even shut down those infamous websites that refuse to correct their wrongdoing," Cai Mingzhao, Deputy Minister of the State Council Information Office, said in a teleconference Monday. "Immediate action is needed to purify the internet environment."

China has the world's largest population of internet users, which reached 253 million by the end of June last year.