China has launched a nationwide campaign to crack down on false and obscene online advertising about sex-related products, according to a government statement released on Wednesday.
As the sales of such products have moved online in recent years, complaints from the public have also grown - mostly about obscene online advertisements or fake products, according to the statement.
Since 2010, more than 4,000 such complaints have been received, according to the China Illegal Information Internet Reporting Center.
Some illegal drugs, such as ecstasy and crystal meth, are also advertised as sex medicines, but are extremely harmful and can lead to higher rates of crime and juvenile delinquency, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Also, sex products, especially sex-related medicines, usually use obscene pictures and pornographic information online to lure potential customers, which can have a negative influence on netizens, particularly the young.
The campaign, carried out by six government departments including the State Council's Information Office, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Health, aims to discourage the dissemination of such obscene information.
Websites found to have such content face closure, the statement said. The campaign also targets alleged sex-related drugs.
According to the State Food and Drug Administration, more than 90 percent of so-called "sex medicines" sold online without government approval numbers are counterfeit, and some might cause harmful side effects.
On Baidu, the most popular search engine in China, more than 7 million entries can be found for the key words "sex medicine". So far, only 27 websites in China can legally sell drugs, according to the State Food and Drug Administration.
Questions:
1. How many complaints have been received since 2010?
2. How many government departments are involved in the campaign?
3. How many websites in China can legally sell drugs?
Answers:
1. More than 4,000.
2. Six.
3. 27.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.