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)