Beijing police announced today a new initiative designed to remind visitors to Chinese web sites that the government is monitoring their activity. The Chinese government closely watches domestic Web content and usage (certain LGBT content, HIV/AIDS-related content, and gay porn has all been labeled "illegal" in the past). This campaign will pop up on all Beijing-registered Web sites by the end of the year.

It's something the Chinese government has been doing for a while, but Beijing gone so far as to design cute "virtual" police officers that will pop up on computer screens from time to time as reminders that the government is watching. Who knew big brother would look like an Asian anime character?

365gay.com reported last year on the Chinese government's closing of several popular gay message boards, which had threads regarding coming out and HIV education.

The initiative has the cooperation of two of China's biggest Web portals, Sohu and Sina. Not surprising, since the last thing you want to do when you're living in China is f with the government. Also, an interesting factiod: in two years, China will surpass the US as the country with the most Internet users.

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