China starts spring cleaning on the internet

Chinese authorities have shut down about 1500 pornographic websites and are making no secret about it, reporting about it in their own state press.

A total of 41 individuals where also apprehended during the crackdown after being linked to the vulgar content.

Singapore's Straits Time reported:

"The government has warned that Internet giants such as Google, MSN and Baidu, the most popular Chinese search engine, could also be shut down if they continue to link to vulgar content.

Google, Baidu and others have since issued apologies and said they have taken steps against online porn."

Click here to read more on this story from the Straits Times

Happy New Year China!

Chinese people around the world began their 15 day long lunar-calendar celebration this weekend, ushering the start of the "Year of the Ox."

Citizens go shopping in Fuzhou, capital of south China's Fujian Province, Jan. 25, 2009.
Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional Chinese
festival of family reunion. It falls on Jan. 26 this year.(Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Chinese folk lore describes the Ox as a sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Appropriate considering the current financial crisis don't you think?

Just in case you where wondering... If you happen to be born in the Year of the Ox (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009), you are believed to have a natural tendency to exhibit patience, speak little and inspire confidence in others. Not a bad set of characteristics huh?

Anyway... Happy New Year to the billion + Chinese around the world and all others celebrating this joyous holiday!

Migrant workers, who could not return home for the Spring Festival,
gather together to have new year's dinner in Guilin, a city of south China's
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 25, 2009. (Xinhua/Chen Ruihua)