Law enforcement officials need to place more emphasis on regulation of the cultural market, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing said Thursday.
Supervision over culture-oriented and entertainment business needs to be strengthened to provide a healthy social atmosphere for young people, Li said during a national televised meeting.
The vice-premier urged law enforcement bodies to standardize the operation of Internet services, electronic games centers and entertainment clubs in addition to regulating of book and audio-video products markets.
These tasks, according to Li's plan, should be finished by the end of the year.
Internet cafes will now be under strict supervision and children will not be allowed to enter except in public holidays, Li said, adding that pornographic and unhealthy websites will be banned and more efforts will be made to fight cyber crime.
Entertainment places and nightclubs will also be subject to strict supervision to prevent gambling, prostitution, drugs trafficking and other crimes. Any entertainment venues operating without a license must be shut down, Li said.
The vice-premier urged top officials from the Ministry of Culture, State Press and Publication Administration, Ministry of Information Industry, Ministry of Public Security, and General Administration of Industry and Commerce to help with these efforts to achieve a healthier market order.
(China Daily 08/17/2001)