The State Press and Publication Administration said on Friday that
more than 20 new policies and measures would be hammered out later
this year to create an amiable legal environment for the growth of
the country's media and publishing sector.
The State Press and Publication Administration said on Friday that
more than 20 new policies and measures would be hammered out later
this year to create an amiable legal environment for the growth of
the nation's media and publishing sector.
Among the regulations to be devised are rules concerning management
of the publication market, management of newspaper publications, as
well as foreign publication import management.
Foreign investors will be allowed wider access to the media
business this year as newspaper and book markets in a number of big
and middle-sized cities will be opened to foreign-funded
businesses.
Sources from the administration said these management regulations
will be promulgated in the near future, but the exact timetable was
not available.
By
November last year, the administration had approved 92 printing
companies with foreign investment totaling US$55.2 million, the
administration's year-end report revealed.
The administration has also been taking active steps to prepare for
the entry of foreign capital into the publication distribution
business in the near future in accordance with the country's World
Trade Organization commitments.
The nation's press and publishing industry has been keen to carry
on reforms and gain strength in order to compete effectively
against the incoming foreign giants in the industry.
Last year, a number of new groups emerged. According to the
administration's latest statistics, the newly formed groups include
three in the publishing business, three in distribution, one
magazine and 13 newspapers, taking the total number around the
country, so far, to 55.
(China Daily January 18, 2003)