From Internet Cafe to Internet Cafe

In June this year, Ziwudu Internet Cafe, located next to Qingdao University of Science and Technology in Shandong Province, opened its doors on the first day after its transformation and upgrading into an Internet Cafe. On the opening day, the Internet users were full, which made Wang Xiaodong, the owner of the Internet Cafe, happy.

Wang Xiaodong told reporters that he has been engaged in the Internet cafe industry for more than ten years. In the past, the illegal operation of Internet cafes was serious, security accidents were frequent, and the overall image of the industry was bad. "Two years ago, the Laoshan District Government of Qingdao issued relevant policies to promote the transformation and upgrading of the Internet service industry." Wang Xiaodong recalled that in 2014, the district government introduced two chain Internet cafes, Shanghai Wangyu Network and Beijing Bayou Network. Their spacious and clean environment, the service function of Internet cafes and coffee bars, and the standardized, branded and professional operation mode brought a lot of impact to local Internet cafes.

"Dark and noisy, malodorous, is people’s main impression of Internet cafes, so we must first guide Internet cafes to change the environment. For the first time, the regulatory authorities regard brightness and neatness as a requirement for the whole industry, and encourage them to pay attention to the upgrading of the online environment when preparing for renovation, so as to make it a bright, elegant and open public cultural place. " Wang Shaomei, director of the Cultural Press and Publication Bureau of Laoshan District, said that through active guidance and nearly two years of practice, the online service industry in Laoshan District has presented a new scene.

"In addition to improving the environment, the regulatory authorities also encourage Internet cafes to take advantage of their advantages and cooperate with various education and training institutions and other service units to carry out community education and training, online purchasing, remote consultation and other services." Wang Shaomei said that the regulatory authorities and Internet cafes explore special operations together, and some organize e-sports, book corners and chess competitions. Some open leisure stations, providing online coffee, leisure snacks, reading books and newspapers, etc., expanding consumer groups and enriching cultural consumption.

"I prefer this internet cafe model. Now I have time to sit inside with my friends for a while, and the environment is bright." Feng Li, a college student who often spends money in Ziwu, said.

In the first half of 2016, about 80 Internet service enterprises in Laoshan District were transformed and upgraded in the whole industry. Internet service places began to be combined with online competition, and virtual reality equipment and manufacturers gradually entered the Internet service places, seeking win-win cooperation and becoming a new driving force for the development of the industry.
(Reporter Yanjie Liu, correspondent of this newspaper, Xu Jun)