China probes 185 websites for illegal activities

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Culture announced Thursday that it has opened investigations into 185 websites over suspicions of piracy and other illegal operations.

The websites include 72 music websites, 67 animation sites and 46 gaming sites, according to a statement from the ministry.

Some websites are suspected of providing music and animation downloading services without legal certificates, while others are suspected of illegally promoting online games, the statement said.

A majority of them have allegedly offered music, animated materials and computer games without permission from the contents' copyright holders, the statement said.

The country launched a nationwide campaign against online piracy in February, and has so far investigated more than 2,800 cases involving 7.74 million yuan ($1.23 million), according to the ministry.

Authorities have also withdrawn certificates from 36 websites and companies, the statement said.