Chinese authorities are to examine advertisements for illegal representations of the words and images of government leaders being used for commercial promotions, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said Thursday.

The inspection will focus on shopping malls, franchise houses and restaurants that may display words and photos of government officials to underline the credibility of their products and possibly mislead their customers.

China's Advertising Law prohibits advertisements carrying words and images of governmental organizations and officials.

An SAIC official said local branches had found few illegal representations in the popular media, but a few enterprises selling directly to customers were flying freely under the SAIC radar.

Illegal representations would result in prosecution, said the official.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2006)