Chinese authorities shut down 7,846 illegal websites

Authorities have shut down 7,846 websites that were found to be involved in illegal commercial activity as part of a nationwide campaign against online black markets, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday.

The ministry has deleted 1.2 million online posts related to illegal activity and disciplined 1,075 Internet services providers in relation to the campaign, the ministry said.

Illegal activity singled out by the campaign includes the sale of weapons, ammunitions, explosives, toxic chemicals, personal information and devices used to tap mobile phones, the ministry said.

The campaign has also resulted in the apprehension of 905 criminal suspects and the elimination of 53 criminal gangs, the ministry said.

The ministry stated it will continue to use a "heavy-handed approach" in its fight against illegal online activity.