The Chinese government has pledged to eradicate the sale of new
Internet bar licenses, which has continued despite a ban earlier
this month.
Tuo Zuhai, vice director of the Ministry of Culture cultural
market department, said at a meeting on Internet bars that licenses
were still sold in some areas for high profits after 14 government
departments, including the Ministry of Culture, the State
Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of
Information Industry, banned the practise.
The sales were illegal and would be stopped according to laws
and regulations, Tuo said.
"There are currently almost 120,000 Internet bars in China,
which meets the demand of the market," said Tuo, adding an increase
in the number would lead to "negative competition".
The government notice also required that school-owned Internet
bars must be directly managed by the school, operated on a
not-for-profit basis and must not be leased to individuals.
In recent years, Chinese government officials and commentators
has voiced concerns over an alleged rise in the number of teenagers
addicted to Internet cafes and gaming.
The number of Internet users in China reached 123 million in
mid-2006. About 15 percent of the total -- or 18 million -- are
under the age of 18.
A report by the Beijing Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents
claimed 33.5 percent of its detainees were influenced by violent
on-line games or erotic websites when they committed crimes such as
robbery and rape.
Many experts and lawmakers have suggested the government tighten
the management of Internet bars.
(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2007)