China's crackdown on pornograhy is gathering pace following reports that 700 Web sites have been shut down and 220 people arrested as authorities try to censor XXX sites.

Last month China announced plans to crack down on adult websites with officials claiming that the "rampant" increase in online porn is damaging the moral fabric of the nation - and young people in particular.

One official said that porn "severely damaged social style, polluted the social environment, and harmed the physical and psychological health of the young people".

With half of China's 87m Net users under 24, the latest reports suggest that many young people are using the Net to learn about sex because information is hard to come by.

While the Government is considering improving sex education, it's also using technology to block access to sites and arresting those peddling porn.

Last month Chinese websites, ISPs and other Internet-related organisations were "invited" to sign a self-discipline pact to prevent the spread of anti-government information, porn and anything else that might threaten "national security (and) social stability". ®

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