China is to launch a fresh campaign to crack down on illegal publications and harmful information to ensure a wholesome environment for the upcoming Shanghai World Expo.

The campaign, from April 1 to October 31, will endeavor to protect intellectual property rights with emphasis on fighting piracy during the Expo, which runs from May 1 to October 1, according to the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office on Monday.

To achieve that, the office urged local authorities to crack down on pirated publications and illegal information by strengthening market management and regulation of the Internet, among other measures.

According to the office, authorities across the country seized about 5 million items of illegal publications in the first two months of this year. More than 140,000 illegal websites have been shut down since last November.

(Xinhua March 30, 2010)