Chinese authorities launched a nationwide crackdown Wednesday on illegal and pornographic publications, destroying 46.85 million items.
The crackdown covered the country's 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, according to the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office.
There were 17 provinces, cities and autonomous regions destroying up to 1 million illegal items, including Shanghai, Jiangsu and Beijing.
Guangdong Province had the largest number at 10 million, the office said.
On April 12, the office began a national crackdown on obscene audio-visual products, confiscating nearly 3 million discs during a 10-day period.
Jiang Jianguo, a senior official from the office, said the government wanted to purify the social environment and fulfill its commitment against pirated content to the world community.
"This has become a world issue that requires more international cooperation," Jiang added.
(China Daily April 23, 2009)
