Two karaoke bars in Beijing have been shut down and seven more have been ordered to temporarily suspend business for alleged involvement in drug crimes.

In accordance with a campaign launched by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security on June 1, any businesses found with solid evidence for drug abuse will be suspended from operation for six months and handed fines ranging from 10,000 yuan (about US$1,233) to 20,000 yuan (some US$2,466). In serious cases their business licenses will be revoked.

The bureau on Thursday signed letters of responsibility with legal representatives of 18 places of entertainment over "good law enforcement and order" in a bid to stem illicit drug use at places such as bars and dance halls.

Fu Zhenghua, deputy director of the bureau, said they would sign similar letters of responsibility with 1,100 more operators of entertainment venues in the coming months.

In the meantime, the Law and Order Detachment of the bureau has also signed letters of responsibility about supervision with the detachment's branches in urban districts and suburban counties.

The Law and Order Detachment has warned its branches in urban districts and suburban counties that if problems such as drug abuse and organized crimes run rampant at entertainment venues as a result of neglect of duty, and similar problems have been found in the respective administrative areas three times a year, they will seek accountability of the leadership of the respective areas' departments for law and order.

The Office of Beijing Municipal Committee for Drug Control on Thursday also announced two fixed phone lines - 01083552022/83552012 - and an email address - bjgajjdc@sohu.com - to accept reports on cases involving drug abuse.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2006)