SHENZHEN: More than 20 illegal Internet cafes in the Bao'an District of Shenzhen were forced to close on Monday night following a raid by local government officials and the police.

The joint operation sought to crack down on illicit operations in the area, which had previously escaped detection by keeping their doors closed during the day.

One operator is alleged to have attracted customers, a majority of whom were young students, by providing free surfing between 8 and 9 am each morning, police said.

The cafe is said to have issued VIP cards to its frequent visitors, which entitled them to surf the Net for just 0.93 yuan (12 cents) per hour, as well as providing drinks and snacks, and selling online gaming cards.

At another illegal operation, located on the second floor of a residential building, signs clearly advertised an hourly rate of 1.5 yuan (19 cents), and a note from the owner "kindly" reminded customers to leave via the back door if the front door was closed.

During the two-hour raid, which started at 8 pm, law enforcement teams swept through the local community, ferreting out more than 20 illegal operations and confiscating more than 300 computers.

Officials said the move signalled the start of a dedicated campaign to eradicate illegal entertainment activities in the district.

Governments across the country have expressed the need to crack down on illegal Internet cafes, which allow teenagers to surf pornographic sites and play online games, to which they can become addicted.

A recent circular, issued by 14 national government departments, outlined the need for greater controls on Internet cafes and online games, as well as stamping out illegal operations.

It stated that individuals who accrued more than 10,000 yuan ($1,300), or companies that accrued more than 100,000 yuan ($13,000) from operating unregistered Internet cafes would be subject to criminal prosecution.

It also said that authorities would not issue licenses to any new Internet cafes this year.

(China Daily 04/06/2007 page5)