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Beijing to Forbid Opening of New Cyber Cafes [CND, 04/14/01] Beijing will start a three-month ban on the opening of new cyber cafes in order to cut down on unrestricted use of the Internet, AFP reported on Saturday. The move comes as authorities examine existing Internet outlets for possible dissenting views and vice, reported Xinhua. Information Industry minister WU Jichuan said that many teenagers are unduly influenced by the Internet, "indulging" in chatrooms and pornography, as well as online gaming. "We cannot neglect the influence of the Internet on teenagers' growth and social development," he said. It is speculated that existing Internet cafes will have to re-register, while those without proper authorization will be shut down. According to government figures, 22.5 million people logged on last year, marking a 153 percent increase from 1999. There are stringent legal controls to guard against political content on web sites, reported Xinhua. Last year, the government passed regulations forbidding rumor-mongering, slander and "harmful information." This year, , among China' s most popular web sites, had its chatroom shut down. Users were venting rage about the government's denial that a fireworks explosion had killed elementary school students in Fanglin. Last year, a national campaign to stamp out illegal entertainment shut down 500 computer parlors and more than 100 Internet bars in Shanghai. Last year in Guangzhou, more than 1,500 video game arcades were shut down because of their reputed harmful influence on youth, reported Xinhua. (Sue Bruell)