Chinese Internet police in 50 cities and regions on Monday launched accounts on social networking platforms to further combat cyber crimes.

The cyber police teams are tasked to identify "illegal and harmful information on the Internet, deter and prevent cyber crimes and improper words and deeds online, publish case reports and act on information provided by the public," according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

They will warn those involved in minor offenses and help investigate more serious cases, said the MPS on Sunday, adding that police nationwide will set up their own online inspection teams after the pilot program.

China has strengthened cyberspace management especially during the past few years.

Authorities had already removed 758,000 pieces of "illegal and criminal information," and have investigated over 70,000 cyber crime cases since January, the MPS added.

"Internet police will draw on the experience of traditional police patrols. They can stop cyber crimes and act on information from netizens," Zhong Zhong, a MPS official, told the Global Times.

Zhong said that the public accounts of Internet police are aimed at handling cases in cyberspace where traditional crimes are increasingly infiltrating. "Internet police forces have existed for nearly two decades. It is merely an extension of our previous work."

Sources within the MPS said Chinese Internet police used to stay behind the scenes to conduct inspections and investigations based on tip-offs.

"The Internet has become an influential public space and many incidents online have proven to be hazardous. It is natural that this virtual world should be included in the nation's rule of law campaign. Besides, there have been inadequate efforts for cyberspace governance in China," He Hui, director of the Public Relations and Public Opinion Institute of the Communication University of China, told the Global Times.

However, some said they are concerned that the presence of Internet police will impair speech online. In response, Zhong stressed that the law protects free speech. "It is the best way to protect every netizens' legal rights by conducting online inspections and law enforcement to create a healthy cyberspace."

He Hui added that it is important for Internet policing to follow the law instead of administrative measures, as enforcing the law online also requires a legal basis.

China kicked off its second Cyber Security Week on Monday as a part of the nation's effort to raise awareness amid the growing number of Internet users and rising cyber attacks.

Lu Wei, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, urged teenage netizens to become "good netizens," who should be security conscious and law-abiding.

Xinhua contributed to this story