Shanghai – Hundreds of video websites have been shuttered by the Chinese government for either failing to obtain a government license, or distributing pornography, copyrighted content or "harmful" information, Agence France-Presse reported, citing the local China Business News.

Several prominent sites were closed over the past week, and the Chinese government has ordered the closure of over 400 websites this year — following the enactment of a new law requiring all such sites to obtain a license to operate from the government.

Sites being shut down include those that have failed to obtain licenses, or those found to be distributing content deemed inappropriate in the eyes of the government.

The newly affected sites included BTChina, a popular video-sharing site, according to AFP, and UUbird.com.

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(AFP)