China targets online abuse of military veterans ahead of V-Day

China's top cyberspace regulator on Friday announced a crackdown on online misconducts that tarnish the image of military veterans so as to create a healthy internet environment for the nation's V-Day commemorations.

The campaign, which starts immediately and will run through the end of September, is rolled out as a number of online accounts have been found to exploit the identity of military veterans to promote fake products, stage vulgar performances and engage in other activities that damage the reputation of veterans, according to a notice released by the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission.

Crackdown efforts will target 10 types of typical malpractices. These include creating a fake veteran persona by wearing military uniform and displaying military medals or equipment, as well as selling counterfeit products, attracting online traffic, conducting vulgar activities to seek rewards and spreading rumors under the disguise of being a veteran.

Other behaviors to be rectified are mocking or smearing veterans' lives or falsifying beneficial policies for veterans and their families.

The notice urged local authorities and website platforms to strengthen detection and removal of inappropriate and harmful information related to veterans.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Commemorations will be held on Sept 3.