The General Administration for Industry and Commerce recently issued a circular to suspend registration of new Internet bars and profit-seeking song and dance halls, so as to create good environment for minors.

The circular called for a crackdown on unregistered Internet bars, forbidding the establishment of Internet bars and song and dance halls within 200 meters around primary and middle schools.

As China has seen some tragic accidents related to youngsters and Internet bars recently, the central government has imposed a rigid watch on Internet bars. Meanwhile, China has shut down nearly 16,000 unlicensed Internet cafes across the country since March this year.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2004)