Authorities will continue to take a hard line on Internet-based rumors and punish those creating fake information, a senior official said on Thursday. 

Authorities have removed more than 210,000 online posts and shut down 42 websites since mid-March in their latest crackdown on online rumors, said Liu Zhengrong, a senior official with the State Internet Information Office. 

Fake information or rumors spread through the Internet, especially on micro blogs, have harmed social order and residents' daily lives, he said at a news briefing in Beijing. 

Before the crackdown, six people who allegedly fabricated rumors about "military vehicles entering Beijing" had been detained and 16 websites closed for 

fake online information, according to police authorities. 

"What we've done and will do is to make sure residents can know what they want to know, say what they think and supervise our management in a reliable and useful network environment," Liu said. 

Liu disagreed that the Internet can police itself against rumors, and told China Daily that some netizens can't distinguish truth from fiction, "requiring government departments and website companies to take measures". 

On Monday, the Internet Society of China posted a proposal calling on Internet companies and websites to strengthen self-discipline and prevent the spread of online rumors. 

In response, three main Internet companies in the country - Sina, Baidu and Tencent - said they will target fake information with advanced technology and invest in manpower to supervise online information. 

Zhao Zhiguo, deputy director of the Telecommunications Administration under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said stricter self-management of websites will help banish online rumors. 

"Internet companies should take legal responsibility when operating their websites. They should not become a hotbed for rumors and provide opportunities for fake information," Zhao said, adding they will launch similar crackdowns to close illegal website companies and punish those responsible. 

Currently, people who make or spread rumors related to terrorism and securities trading, or information affecting State security and companies' commercial reputations, will face criminal punishment. 

Liu Honghui, a Beijing lawyer specializing in online cases, said he welcomed the government's action to curb online rumors. 

"Residents used online banks to shop or book flights, which needs a safe platform without fake information," he said. 

Yu Guofu, another lawyer from Sheng Feng Law Firm, said the key to reducing rumors is netizens themselves. 

"If micro-bloggers think twice before forwarding information, rumors will decrease." QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. How many lawyers are referenced in the story?
2. What is the number of lawyers mentioned in the story?
3. How many lawyers does the story take note of?
Q2:
1. Who is the lawyer in the story?
2. What is the name of the lawyer mentioned in the article?
3. Who is the attorney referenced in the article?
Q3:
1. Who serves as deputy director?
2. Who is employed as a deputy director?
3. Whose job is deputy director?
Q4:
1. Who had a proposal they posted?
2. Whose proposal was made public?
3. Who proposed an idea?
Q5:
1. When did the Internet Society of China post their proposal?
2. On what day was the Internet Society of China's proposal posted?
3. What was the day when the Internet Society of China made the proposal public?
Q6:
1. What are the three main Internet companies in China?
2. Give the names of China's three main internet companies?
3. Which companies are the three main internet providers in China?
Q7:
1. What do Sina, Baidu and Tencent plan on doing?
2. What is the plan of Sina, Baidu and Tencent?
3. What have Sina, Baidu and Tencent decided to do?
Q8:
1. How do Sina, Baidu and Tencent plan on targeting fake information?
2. What is Sina, Baidu and Tencent's plan for closing in on fake information?
3. What method will Sina, Baidu and Tencent use to target false information?
Q9:
1. Is Shang Li employed by the Sheng Feng Law Firm?
2. Does the Sheng Feng Law Firm employ Shang Li?
3. Does Shang Li work for the Sheng Feng Law Firm?
Q10:
1. Who employs Yu Guofu?
2. Where is Yu Guofo employed?
3. Who is Yu Guofo's employer?
