The net result? 5,394 arrests and 4,186 criminal case investigations during 2009 -- four times more than in the previous year.
Chinese officials say the arrests and investigations were part of a campaign against internet pornography, which they claim is "overwhelming the country's Internet and threatening the emotional health of children." Critics say the anti-pornography drive is a tool to deepen censorship of political views expressed through user-generated content, and that the campaign is as much about taking control over new media as about cracking down on internet porn. Banned sites include YouTube, Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security did not disclose how many of the over 5000 arrests resulted in criminal charges. They did announce the continuation of the anti-pornography campaign through 2010, saying the drive would be intensified in the coming year and that punishments for violators would be even more severe.
What are your thoughts on the Chinese government's approach?