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China online game clean-up to run
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-10 14:55

A clampdown on China's burgeoning online game industry will run until September and is aimed largely at imported titles featuring pornography, violence or gambling, the industry's regulator told Reuters.


An Internet cafe in Shanghai. China is to release a set of new rules to vet the content of online games as part of a campaign to combat what will bring harmful influences on the young.[AFP]

The new campaign began in April and is designed to rid the fast-growing industry of inappropriate content, according to the Ministry of Culture, which regulates online games in China.

"Promotion of economical development (of the industry) and improving recreational options for the people has its definite advantages," the ministry wrote in a series of answers to questions submitted by Reuters.

"At the same time, some problems should not be ignored: some games contain pornography, sex, gambling, violence and other unhealthy content, with imported online games the main culprit."

As part of the five-month clean-up, the ministry has identified nine illegal games, including one titled "Sexy Beach," as well as four illegal operators and eight illegal game suppliers for scrutiny, the ministry said.

In a recurring refrain, it said the campaign was aimed at protecting young people "who lack self control and can easily become addicted" -- a reference to the legions of teenage boys who are the main audience for online games and usually play them outside the home at Internet cafes.

On Wednesday Xinhua news agency reported a 41-year-old Shanghai online game player had been given a suspended death sentence after stabbing to death a competitor for selling his cyber sword.



 
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