China to crack down on online fanclubs over bullying concerns

Operation launches to target fanclub culture that adversely affects mental health of minors', says watchdog

China's internet watchdog has launched a crackdown on the country's chaotic" online celebrity fanclubs, accusing them of contributing to a culture of abuse and of manipulating public opinion.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the office of the central cyberspace affairs commission said it was launching a two-month special operation targeting fanclub culture, known as fan quan, which it said adversely affected the mental health of children.