China's media have begun to report that a new supervision system will operate at all internet cafes by the end of the year as the government tightens its grip on web surfers.

The Ministry of Culture will set standards and designate software used by internet cafes nationwide, with Shanghai reported to be serving as a testing ground for the scheme.

Under the new system, all internet cafes will be required to install special software that will help authorities monitor customers' activities, the Oriental Morning Post has reported. Shanghai would install the software on 110,000 computers at more than 1,300 internet cafes by the end of June. Authorities were quoted by the newspaper as saying the move was aimed at preventing minors from viewing pornography.

The Shanghai government spent 7 million yuan to develop the software, which will be supplied for free, while the Shanghai Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and Television will to establish a center for 24-hour monitoring of computers.