Shandong Province has tightened control over Internet cafes, closing down more than 3,000 illegal ones last year.

Related authorities in the province made an overall inspection of the Internet cafes last year to close down the illegally operated ones, according to an official in charge of the provincial cultural affairs.

The number of Shandong's Internet cafes has decreased from over10,000 in 2002 to the current 7000, said the official.

Shandong had standardized Internet cafe management in terms of scale, location, operation hours and surveillance software.

The province will continue its strict supervision of Internet cafes this year, the official said, meanwhile promoting the development of chain Internet cafes. (Xinhua)