Beijing is to place strict controls on the numbers of net bars. Filtering software will be developed to block harmful information on the internet. Net cafes, schools, families, and internet users will enjoy free downloading of the software.
Real name registration will be required for website owners and editors as well as their moderators.
"This year, Beijing will set up a reward fund of three million yuan to encourage the creation of outstanding internet novels, songs and games suitable for minors." Cai Fuchao, Vice Mayor of Beijing, said at Beijing's Sociocultural Environment Purification Meeting on June 16, 2009.
Cai also said that Beijing was trying to set up a management database for its roughly 370,000 websites. The access systems of website and its staff will also be investigated. Real-name registration will be quickly implemented for website owners, editors, and moderators.
The meeting also disclosed that Beijing Communication Administration would develop filtering software to block and control harmful internet information. Net bars, schools, families, and internet users will enjoy free downloading of the software.
Journalist from The Beijing News found in Beijing's Dongcheng and Xicheng districts that alarming signs reading: "No minors allowed" were hung above the entrances of all the net cafes. A net bar employee told a journalist that people were required to show their identity card when they came to the cafe.
With regard to the real-name registration system, people in charge of relevant sections of hexun.com said on June 16 that it was the website owners', editors', and moderators' responsibility to delete any thread that included harmful information. Their sense of responsibility will be strengthened if real-name registration is implemented.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua June 17, 2009)
