Chinese authorities are to examine advertisements for illegal
representations of the words and images of government leaders being
used for commercial promotions, the State Administration for
Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said Thursday.
The inspection will focus on shopping malls, franchise houses
and restaurants that may display words and photos of government
officials to underline the credibility of their products and
possibly mislead their customers.
China's Advertising Law prohibits advertisements carrying words
and images of governmental organizations and officials.
An SAIC official said local branches had found few illegal
representations in the popular media, but a few enterprises selling
directly to customers were flying freely under the SAIC radar.
Illegal representations would result in prosecution, said the
official.
(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2006)
