China has launched an initiative to push for the crackdown of pornography on search engines like Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU).  Pornography is illegal in China, but it is easy to get a hold of it on the Internet.  As ISPs in China discover pornography, they block it.  Seven government agencies in China have gotten together to “purify the Internet’s cultural environment and protect the healthy development of minors.”

The announcement made by the government in China stated that Google and Baidu have failed to make efficient measures in removing links to pornography.  The statement also included Sina and Sohu, several video websites, and forums.  “If we find any violation, we will take action. So far, I haven’t seen any examples of violations,” stated Google China spokeswoman Cui Jin.

China has over 250 million Internet users.  Any website that seems offensive or political has been banned.  Within the last month, China blocked The New York Times website.  During the 2008 Summer Olympics, many websites were reopened for viewing as part of a way to appease tourists.

[via AP]