Several Chinese websites that carry pornographic materials have been closed in the last few days, and others will meet the same fate in the near future.

China started a special website, net.China.cn., on June 10 for people to report illegal and unhealthy online information.

Named the China Reporting Center of Illegal and Unhealthy Information, the website has so far received 1,344 complaints about pornographic materials on certain websites and transferred them to law enforcement departments.

Law enforcement departments have since closed five pornographic sites and ordered one to close in two days. Four Beijing-based websites have voluntarily deleted pornographic materials after being informed by the center, according to a notice issued by the reporting center.

People, especially parents, generally applauded the opening of the website.

"It's good for fostering a healthy environment for the growth of our kids," said a netizen.

The website is established by the Work Committee of the Internet News Information Service under the Internet Society of China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2004)