China has closed down more than 530 audio-video service websites, including several major BitTorrent websites such as BTChina.net, as a result of its strengthened efforts to crack down on illegal online audio-video service providers.
Cao Yunxia, a representative from China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, told local media that illegal audio-video service providers are causing major harm to the audio-video industry and the related industry chains, so SARFT would continue in its efforts to control them.
According to Cao, SARFT has been purging piracy and pornographic websites since 2007, and the department would keep on with this by licensing audio-video service providers with a license and strengthening their self-discipline.
BitTorrent, is a popular online transmission protocol which enables Internet users to download film and audio products with a free BT software. It is understood that BT websites have become a major channel for the dissemination of pirated and illegal audio and video products in recent years.
