Representative Christopher H. Smith, Chair
Senator Jeff Merkley, Cochair
Ministry of Culture Cracks Down on Internet and Cell Phone Games
May 29, 2005
The People's Daily Web site reported that on April 24 China's Ministry of Culture ordered local agencies to prohibit the operation of six Internet and three cell phone games. According to the report, authorities decided to censor the games because their contents threatened China's national security, and encouraged vice, gambling, and violence. The report stated that the Ministry had also instructed culture authorities in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Beijing to shut down four companies who were operating Internet gaming Web sites without government permission. Authorities were also ordered to investigate eight other companies for "illegally providing Internet games."