Cheating in the performance industry including lip synching, benefiting from charity performances, and other illegal and unhealthy performances will incur severe penalties, according to a newly revised Regulations Governing Commercial Art Performances, to be implemented this September.

"The performer or performing troupes who conduct lip synching will be withdrawn of their business license as stipulated in the new regulations," said Wang Yongqing, deputy director of the Office of Legislative Affairs under the State Council.

However, the advanced technology in the stereo equipments make it hard to spot lip synching in the performance, said Vice-Minister of Culture Meng Xiaosi, adding that the ministry will take further steps to supervise lip synching through technical means.

Meng said that corruption in some local governments gives rise to a high ticket price.

The new regulations forbid any government to sponsor performance with public funds.

"Many still play tricks in the performance industry, and the new regulations demand that the performing advertisements must be true and legal," said Zhang Xinjian, deputy director of Market Department of Ministry of Culture.

According to the newly revised regulations, no company or individual is allowed to stage performances which run counter to the basic principles of China's Constitution, jeopardize national unity and security, sovereignty and territorial integrity or infringe upon national interests.

The regulations also state that no performances are allowed to stir up hatred or discrimination among different ethic groups, encroach upon the customs and habits of ethnic minorities or hurt their feelings. Any performance involving pornography, cult activity, superstition or violence is banned.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2005)