China hackers shut shop

Honkers Union of China (HUC), the earliest and largest hacker group in the country which prevented numerous foreign attacks on Chinese websites, has announced its dissolution.

The group, whose membership fee was once as high as $9,700, has shut down its website, the China News Service reported Tuesday.

The HUC has drawn both praise and criticism as it participated in confronting foreign hackers on numerous occasions, it said.

HUC's founder, known as 'Lion' claimed

in his open letter that "Honkers Union has existed in name only for a long time, and its website has been closed down several times before.

"However, I am reluctant to let go of things that accompanied me while I grew up. That is why HUC has lasted so long," the agency reported.

HUC was set up by Lion in December 2000. The group was a non-governmental organisation with a wide variety of members, including businessmen, students, teachers and professionals in network safety, the report said.