Campaign targets online idolatry of stars

A monthlong campaign against spreading improper or illegal information online was launched on Wednesday by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's top internet regulator.

A major target of the campaign is to continue cleaning up improper messages involving fan quan, or "fan circles", to curb the irrational support or idolization of celebrities during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, the administration said.

It pledged to pay attention to online lists ranking the popularity of individual celebrities or music groups as well as posts about festival-related galas, movies and television programs to prevent fans from arguing on the internet and people from luring netizens to raise money for their idols.

Fan quan are highly organized groups of passionate, loyal supporters who share information about their idols and voluntarily spend their time, money and expertise on making these performers — usually budding pop stars or actors — as popular and influential as possible.

The administration has attached importance to the issue and has begun regulating the groups. Fan quan triggered public concern after some were found to have lured fans to irrationally support celebrities by raising money, flaunting their wealth or becoming involved in mudslinging with followers of rival performers.

The administration said on Wednesday that the campaign is also focusing on online posts in which internet users show off their wealth, including those who boast about their luxury houses or expensive Chinese New Year's Eve dinners.

Other targets of the campaign include people who post information online related to gambling and fraud, those who make use of festival red envelopes to defraud others, and those who spread superstitious content and rumors, the administration said.

Furthermore, the administration will strengthen child protection by removing vulgar information and videos that encourage youth to do dangerous things, while also implementing stricter management of smart devices, online games and livestreaming to prevent them from becoming addicted to internet.