Nationwide campaigns underway to solve problems, clean up cyberspace

China's top cyberspace watchdog said on Saturday that a series of campaigns aiming to solve major internet-related problems and purify the online environment have started across the country.

The campaigns will last the whole year, focusing on eight aspects, such as fighting fake online views, urging online platforms to provide healthy products and services for youngsters, and encouraging netizens to support their idols in a sensible manner, according to Sheng Ronghua, vice-minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China.

He made the remark at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Saturday, adding that the campaigns have been included in the 2021 Clean and Healthy Cyberspace Initiative.

"For example, we'll strengthen supervision on online platforms that are popular among young users, including those providing games, literature, videos and livestreaming services to intensify protection of netizens under the age of 18," he said. "Harmful information on these platforms, such as those on pornography and violence, will be resolutely cleaned up in a timely manner."

Those who falsify online views, ask for money after helping others to delete online posts or publish information to distort the history of the Communist Party of China will be strictly punished during the campaigns, he added.

In response to some netizens supporting their own idols by insulting other celebrities with ugly words or even false claims, Zhang Yongjun, head of the administration's Cyberspace Comprehensive Governance Division, said they will research more into such behaviors and call for joint efforts to guide people to follow the stars in a healthy and rational way.