China clamps down on illegal, harmful publications, information targeting children

The government has launched an eight-month crackdown on the making, selling and disseminating of illegal and harmful children's publications.

The nationwide campaign, which lasts from February to September, aims to uncover books, cartoons and games, being sold around primary and middle schools, which are deemed harmful to children, according to a circular posted on the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications' website on Tuesday.

Publications that promote heresy, superstition, obscenity, violence, instigate crimes, or are found to contain content which is "horrific or cruel," are to be relocated, according to the circular.

The campaign will also clean up online social networks that disseminate harmful online games, novels, music, cartoons, to children and the youth, the circular said.

Such websites and applications will be shut down, banned, and operators will be held accountable, it added. Endi