China will not allow any more internet cafes to open this year, according to a government order obtained by the state news agency Xinhua.
The notice, issued by 14 government authorities, also vows to crack down on gambling through online games.
Xinhua said the new restrictions were part of a campaign to combat the rising problem of internet addiction.
Internet cafes that have already been given approval must be completed by the end of June, the news agency reports.
There are currently about 113,000 internet cafes and bars in China, according to the country's Ministry of Information Industry.
China has already banned minors from such cafes, and levies heavy fines on operators who flout these regulations.
View: BBC News
The notice, issued by 14 government authorities, also vows to crack down on gambling through online games.
Xinhua said the new restrictions were part of a campaign to combat the rising problem of internet addiction.
Internet cafes that have already been given approval must be completed by the end of June, the news agency reports.
There are currently about 113,000 internet cafes and bars in China, according to the country's Ministry of Information Industry.
China has already banned minors from such cafes, and levies heavy fines on operators who flout these regulations.
















China is actually doing something with its social problems. This act shows that China realises that there is an actual problem at hand, contrary to many "democratic" governments who impose policies simply for show to please the public or use it for revenue.
Jeebus, everytime somebody posts something about China you get the same old crap from people. I guess I know how American's feel when people disses America for whatever crazy antics are shown on news.
Stfu troll!
If you had even the tiniest clue, you'd know that the system in China doesn't have the tiniest bit to do with communism. Actually, it's the very opposite as the exploitation of the worker class is one of the worst world-wide. Today's China is even more capitalist and corrupt than the US. Those in the Politburo get ever richer and richer at the expense of those slaving away for ultra-low subsistence wages. Poverty, especially among the land population, is getting worse and worse.
This action is certainly not because they suddenly started caring for their population - they didn't until now, and they see no good reason to change that as it would reduce their profits.
This "wanting to combat the internet addiction" is only an excuse to make them appear good. In actuality, they have ever more problems applying their highly restrictive internet policies (so their citizens don't read up on dangerous topics like "human rights" and "democracy"
The reason why so many Chinese turn to the internet and games is to escape their rough and highly restrictive evereyday life, even if it's only for a short while.
I know all these backgrounds from my East Asia Studies at uni.
I was going to make a comment about that.
The internet is a freedom, one that people living in that country don't get to enjoy so much.
But what Aero Ultimate said here "so their citizens don't read up on dangerous topics like "human rights" and "democracy"
Is that so if they read up on the subjects they might rebel against there government? its so confusing lol that country must be currupt to be doing things like this.
O well go china
But what Aero Ultimate said here "so their citizens don't read up on dangerous topics like "human rights" and "democracy"
Is that so if they read up on the subjects they might rebel against there government? its so confusing lol that country must be currupt to be doing things like this.
Uh, have you even ever heard of China? Do you know what China is like, and the sort of government they have?
Your comment is completely off.
And those two people above using terms like STFU and GTFO need to grow up and stop acting soo immature if they want what they say taken seriously.
That is a good point, but a little internet is better than no internet. That's why I'm here, from a school machine.
Amen.
That is a good point, but a little internet is better than no internet. That's why I'm here, from a school machine.
Amen.
Good point
Hallelujah
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.