China has shut down 80 percent of its video game playrooms and
taken measures to curb the production and sale of contraband
pirated audio and video products, said the head of the Ministry of
Culture (MOC) on Friday.
Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng announced during a meeting of MOC
personnel that China had also closed all 277 audio and video
product wholesale markets in an effort to curb the production and
sale of pirated audio and video products.
Sun said that in 2001, MOC together with other government
administrations launched special campaigns to combat illegal
Internet bars, and in 2002, the MOC issued a series of regulations
on Internet bar administration.
Sun said that in recent years, the concepts of chain store and
alliance were introduced into the audio and video market and into
the film industry. Contributions to the film industry were
encouraged in order to rebuild theaters and set up joint
ventures.
He
said efforts are being made to draw up regulations governing the
promoter system and the operations of art galleries, auction houses
and art exhibitions in accordance with international rules.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2003)