China's industrial and commercial regulator said 31.31 percent of newspaper ads published in the second quarter of this year had illegal exaggerations.

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce launched a national survey of newspapers and TV commercials published or broadcast by major-circulation newspapers or the most influential TV stations, which are based in major Chinese cities, mostly provincial capitals.

Out of 3,497 pieces of newspaper ads inspected by the regulator,1,095 were found illegitimate, said the administration in a bulletin.

Out of 5,267 TV commercials, 447, or 8.49 percent, were illegal, it said.

The survey involves the most important TV channels or the No. 1 mass circulation newspapers at the level of provincial capital cities or higher, according to the report.

The official from the advertisement department of the administration said the second quarter has seen a decline in illegitimate newspaper ads and TV commercials over the previous quarter.

The illegitimate advertisements mainly involved pharmaceuticals, medical services, and foodstuff, the report showed.

The illegitimate ads boast of the effectiveness of their products, and the images of medical institutions or medical workers were used to highlight the medical effects of the food, which is banned by law.

The administration issued warnings to metropolitan newspapers about the problematic commercials.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2005)