China has shut down 80 percent of its video game playrooms and taken measures to curb the production and sale of contraband pirated audio and video products, said the head of the Ministry of Culture (MOC) on Friday.

Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng announced during a meeting of MOC personnel that China had also closed all 277 audio and video product wholesale markets in an effort to curb the production and sale of pirated audio and video products.

Sun said that in 2001, MOC together with other government administrations launched special campaigns to combat illegal Internet bars, and in 2002, the MOC issued a series of regulations on Internet bar administration.

Sun said that in recent years, the concepts of chain store and alliance were introduced into the audio and video market and into the film industry. Contributions to the film industry were encouraged in order to rebuild theaters and set up joint ventures.

He said efforts are being made to draw up regulations governing the promoter system and the operations of art galleries, auction houses and art exhibitions in accordance with international rules.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2003)