China Curbs on Foreign Magazines Take Quiet Effect

By REUTERS | The New York Times
April 7, 2006

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's publishing authority has quietly introduced new restrictions on foreign magazines issuing Chinese versions, but officials on Friday denied the rules had led to the closure of Rolling Stone magazine's Chinese edition.

A General Administration of Press and Publicationofficial said the group created an ``internal rule'' last year that allows only foreign science and technology magazines to develop Chinese versions through tie-ups with approved local partners.

China's Communist Party rulers have cracked down on increasingly bold reporting by local newspapers and magazines. In August, the government issued a freeze on foreign investment in satellite television and other media ventures.

The GAPP official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the rule would mean sports, entertainment and fashion magazines could not expect approval to enter China's expanding market.

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