A senior Chinese leader has urged a severe crackdown on pornographic Internet content, stressing that there should be no slackening of efforts to punish the "vulgar trend" in the cyberworld.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, made the remarks during a five-day tour of the nation's biggest city, Shanghai, that ended on Friday.

He said the construction of "green" website-surfing venues should be stepped up to offer minors a healthy social and cultural environment.

While visiting the construction site of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, Li said the expo should be a showcase of the nation's cultural prosperity.

The expo would be another grand international festivity after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Li said, noting that domestic and foreign journalists should be provided with favorable conditions in covering the event.

The official also stressed the importance of technical innovation and cultural reform while visiting local manufacturing companies and artistic troupes.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2009)