Despite government crackdowns on illegal Internet cafes and games rooms, going online and the immersion in uncensored material have become an ever more important factor leading to juvenile delinquency in China, senior lawmaker Gu Xiulian said here Monday.

According to a survey of 15 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, crimes committed by minors under the influence of "virtual reality" rose to 25.1 percent of all crimes committed by juveniles in the first three months this year, compared with only 4.1 percent in 2000, Gu said.

The findings were a result of nationwide check on the effectiveness of the law on the protection of minors' rights and interests.

The investigation, led by Gu, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, began in July.

"While providing young people with services in study, exchange of ideas and recreation, the Internet has also brought about negative effects of violent games, a large amount of garbage, unhealthy information and vulgar chat rooms," she said.

The government waged a two-year war against illegal Internet bars and games rooms in 2001 and 2002, which reduced the number of such establishments from 200,000 to 110,000 across the country, and a three-month blitz on games parlors in 2000 cut the number of games rooms from 100,000 to 20,000, according to Gu.

However, the inspection has found that "underground" Internet bars are emerging and many registered premises were breaking the law allowing minors to enter, she said.

According to police sources, of all juvenile delinquents, 70 percent were under influence of "unhealthy" influences, and 90 percent of those who committed violent crimes or rape had seen violent and obscene videos or publications.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2003)