Chinese authorities ordered the closure of 51 websites found to be carrying illegal drug advertisements, the Ministry of Information Industry said on Tuesday.

Inspectors found sexually suggestive adverts involving drugs and sex-related health supplements, said an official with the ministry.

Of the banned websites, 22 were operating in southwestern Yunnan Province, five in eastern Zhejiang Province, nine in southeastern Fujian Province, one in northern Hebei Province, 13 in northeastern Liaoning Province and one in northern Shaanxi Province.

In addition, dozens of websites registered in eastern Jiangsu and central Hubei provinces will soon be closed for the same reason, the official said, without mentioning penalties.

He said the ministry had ordered local departments to shut down websites identified as illegal by industry and commerce authorities, drug and health watchdogs and Chinese medicine institutions.

The ministry also urged local Internet network information centers to publicize relevant laws and regulations, clean up websites under their supervision and promote self-discipline among operators.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)