Lawmakers lash out at Internet vices
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-09 09:30

Chinese lawmakers have heaped criticism on Internet vices concerning pornography, violence and gambling, and called for administrative and legal measures to contain their spread.

"Even many adults with college education are lost in Internet porn. Some committed crimes under its influence," said Zhou Guiying, a deputy to the National People's Congress, which is in its annual parliamentary session.

Last year, a female netizen was blackmailed by a male chatting partner who had taken nude pictures of her. She was forced into sexual relations with him several times before she reported the case to police.

China launched the crackdown on Internet-based live nude show in September 2005. The campaign has resulted in the closure of a large number of porn websites. But a lawmaker pointed out the work is far from being over.

"Under the strike of the campaign, the Internet servers of some porn sites have been moved abroad," said NPC deputy Chi Susheng.

A latest survey shows 13.2 percent of China's young netizens have become Internet addicts. Violence, online chatting, pornography and online gambling are major cyberspace attractions to young netizens.

"Long-time viewing of Internet violence tend to change a person's temperament, making the person prone to resorting to violence in real life," said You Quanxi, an NPC deputy.

"Internet addiction directly influences the growth of minors. There should be no delay in restricting harmful Internet contents," said You.

The deputies suggested that efforts be made to upload into cyberspace more healthy materials that guide people to seek truth, goodness and beauty.

"If positive and healthy materials are absent, negative materials are sure to be dominant in the cyberspace," said You.