China introduces new media curbs

Several foreign titles are looking at the Chinese market

The Chinese government has introduced new restrictions on foreign magazines seeking to publish Chinese editions, an official has told journalists.

A moratorium on new tie-ups between foreign magazines and local publishers is in place, the unnamed official said.

The ruling, which has not been widely publicised, does not affect science and technology publications.

China's media is controlled by the government, with press, broadcast and internet media subject to restrictions.

Foreign magazines seeking to break into the Chinese market must find a local partner with whom to form a joint venture.

But the unnamed official, from the General Administration of Press and Publishing, said a new rule had been approved last year putting a moratorium on new joint ventures in place.

"China never promised to let foreign companies distribute Chinese versions here; they've always had to have a Chinese partner that selects content based on our requirements," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.

"Now approvals will be limited to science and technology publications," he said.

Rolling Stone

The move would not affect titles that had already been approved.

Reports suggest US music magazine Rolling Stone may have fallen foul of the law. It was shut down in March after publishing just one issue.

But the official denied this was the case and said that the magazine had failed to obtain the correct permission to publish.

In recent years several titles, including Newsweek and Elle, have launched Chinese editions, targeting China's huge consumer market.

But Chinese officials have worried about the impact of western popular culture on China's rapidly changing society.