Taipei, July 27 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu urged Internet cafe operators Saturday to contribute to society by exercising their consciences.
Lu visited two of the cafes at the invitation of the Taiwan Cybercafe's Industry Development Association to gain an understanding of the latest youth hangout, one day after she expressed concern about a reported increase in crime associated with such cafes.
At one of the cyber cafes, she came across students from Elder University who were having their classes there. Saying that she was impressed by the distance learning method, she also lauded the education and entertainment functions provided by Internet cafes.
She also urged operators to exercise self-discipline and run their businesses with a conscience in order to upgrade the quality of their operations.
Lu later signed a "self-discipline agreement of good cyber cafe shops" with Wu Cheng-chang, president of Taiwan Cybercafe's Industry Development Association and listened to a briefing from Wu about Internet cafe operations.
When she visited the Taya branch of Aztec -- a major Internet cafe chain--the store was hosting a game show. Aztec President Chien Shu-huei said that Aztec and the Taiwan Cyber Game League will hold a contest in September to select representatives for the World Cyber Games scheduled for October in South Korea.
Lu lauded Aztec's open and bright space, which she said provides youngsters with a positive leisure environment and she gladly accepted an invitation to serve as honorary president of the Taiwan Cyber Game League.
She also inquired about the negative impression among the public about Internet cafes. Chien said the key lies in the design of the space, adding that Aztec places emphasis on openness and brightness.
Chien also told Lu that the quality of Internet cafes is not consistent because of lax regulations, and she urged the government to raise standards to uphold quality.