Chinese authorities shut down 47,000 illegal Internet bars
during a nationwide crackdown between February and December 2004,
according to sources with the Ministry of Culture.
During the crackdown, which was conducted jointly by the culture
and education ministries, public security units and others, 21,000
Internet bars were ordered to suspend operations until they
underwent an overhaul and 2,131 had their business licenses
revoked.
Unlicensed Internet bars and those that have been admitting
minors and engaged in dissemination of harmful cultural information
have been the focus of the crackdown, which aims to create a more
wholesome and safer environment for minors.
In an attempt to phase out illegally operated businesses through
market forces, government agencies have been promoting the
development of Internet bar chains, according to the ministry.
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)