China cleans up entertainment venues

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a nationwide clean-up campaign to curb intellectual property rights (IPR) violations and other foul dealings which are believed to be undercurrents in the country's entertainment industry.

The "Sunshine Project," which kicked off on Monday, covers more than 200,000 entertainment businesses across the country, according to the Ministry of Culture.

"Serious problems still exist in the entertainment industry, and what concerns the government most are unlicensed operation, IPR infringement, prostitution, gambling and drug use," said Liu Yuzhu, director of the culture market department under the ministry.

About one million people are working at entertainment venues such as pubs, bars and Karaoke lounges, according to official figures, but it is believed that the actual number may be much larger given many underground businesses.

The campaign, jointly launched by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Public Security and other four departments, will promote a national industrial standard on management and service at entertainment venues to clean up the business and improve the service, Liu said.

The ministries will work to build a computer database collecting information of employees working at entertainment venues.

They will also build a computer network linking these venues with the police for monitoring and tip-offs, she said.

An explosion in a Karaoke bar last July claimed 25 lives in Benxi of northeastern Liaoning Province. The blast was caused by explosives secretly stored by the bar owner.