China banned unauthorized channels opened by four radio and TV stations, Beijing News reported Monday.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) ordered the four radio and TV stations to stop operation of these unauthorized channels with a deadline on August 10, the paper said.

Radio stations of Jiangsu, Nanjing and Hefei and Huai'an TV stations had changed their channels or FMs' names, call signs and program ranges without the SARFT's approval, the paper reported.

SARFT found these unauthorized channels after intensified surveillance over the local radio and TV stations recently, an official with the SARFT was quoted by the paper as saying.

According to an anonymous radio station staff, technically, it's quite easy for TV and radio stations to adjust their channels.

He said that to adjust channels aims to get more market while competing with other stations.

SARFT has strengthened its supervision and administration of all channels of TV and radio stations recently.

On August 2, the SARFT announced the ban on several types of commercials, including for the first time the sexually suggestive advertisements.
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(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2007)