A senior official at China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) said Thursday it is not yet "appropriate" to introduce a film rating system on the Chinese mainland.

Theoretically, a film rating system ensures the demands of filmgoers of different groups or with different tastes are met, Zhao Shi, deputy director of SARFT said at a press conference.

But in practice, no successful film rating system has been found, she added.

She also said it is difficult to prevent young people from going to cinemas or watching films online.

China embraces innovation in its film management system and the current system is suitable to "China's national conditions and conforms with the reform, development and management of Chinese films," she noted.

On the Chinese mainland, films must be approved by SARFT before they can be released.

SARFT ensures movies conform with rules that explicitly forbid 10 categories of content, including advocacy of obscenity or violence.