China confiscated more than 30.46 million pornographic, pirated and unauthorized publications from August to October, according to the national anti-pornography and anti-piracy office.

The confiscated publications include "more than 1.24 million unauthorized newspapers and magazines of more than 150 kinds, and 29.22 million other illegal publications" such as pornographic, pirated and smuggled books, audio-visual products, and software, the office said in a press release.

A total of 6,246 cases, including 111 criminal cases, have been dealt with during the three months, with 109 people given legal punishment, according to the office.

"Illegal publications have posed a great threat to the country's publication system, China's cultural security, and social stability," said a spokesman with the office.

The office said it was going to extend a nationwide campaign launched in August to crack down on false news reports, unauthorized publications and bogus journalists to next March, which was aimed at "maintaining the credibility of news media and safeguarding the public interest".

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2007)