China's health ministry has imposed restrictions on medical websites by restricting access to online information and research about sex to medical professionals and researchers.

The new regulation, which includes registration of health websites so these could be monitored and managed, takes effect July 1 as Beijing intensifies its crackdown on Internet pornography.

Xia Guomei, a researcher with the Shanghai Academy of Social Science, said that she welcomes the regulation in general, because many websites, which purport to give information about health, actually contain harmful information like pornography, according to Newkerala.com.

The ministry's regulation metes up to $4,400 in fine and possible criminal prosecution of violators.