The General Administration for Industry and Commerce recently issued a circular to suspend registration of new Internet bars and profit-seeking song and dance halls, with the goal of creating a better environment for minors.

The circular called for a crackdown on unregistered Internet bars, forbidding the establishment of Internet bars and song and dance halls within 200 meters around primary and middle schools. China has seen some dramatic events take place in Internet bars recently, which has led to the central government's imposing of a rigid watch on such establishments. Meanwhile, China has shut down nearly 16,000 unlicensed Internet cafes across the country since March this year.