Fearing that easy access to p0rn will have a bad effect on youth and society, the Chinese government (well known for their belief in free speech, personal freedom and the internet - not!) have decided to bring in even tougher penalties against internet porn peddlers.

Even life imprisonment seems to be on the cards now for what Beijing consider to be "serious offenses." What is a "serious offense"? Well, the official news agency Xinhua points out that any pornographic Web site that had been clicked on more than 250,000 times would be considered a "very severe" case. A sentence of life imprisonment could be applicable there. Other "less severe" cases will lead to other punishments, such as compulsory surveillance, detainment, and police custody.

Hasn't China considered it's restrictions on information & harsh penalties are also bad for youth.

Of course they have . That's why they killed all those students in tiananmen square massacre in 1989.

Don't get me wrong. I have visited China and I thought it was wonderful. I have many Chinese friends. But I really hate the Chinese government. Someone should start a coup.