(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-05 22:00

BEIJING - China's press and publication regulator has issued a notice announcing the launch of another nationwide crackdown on "vulgar" video and audio products.

The notice, dated December 25, 2007, was posted on the website of General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) on Friday.

Related readings:  Film firm banned 2 yrs over graphic ad  China bans "bad and vulgar" crime reconstruction TV series  China urges to rein in vulgar, sexist TV ads  'Vulgar' school art contests banned  China to censor vulgar content from its television screens

The notice said after a three-month quality check of China's entertainment market, GAPP found the contents and covers of certain video and audio products in the country were "vulgar".

Some of the video and audio products are coarsely made, containing materials of bad taste; some are replete with sexually suggestive languages like "absolutely erotic", "not suitable for those under 18" and half-nude images to promote sales; and some are showing female nudity in the name of "body art", said the notice.

Before January 15, audio and video producers should stop the production and sale of vulgar products and recall those that are already on the market, GAPP said in the notice.

After that, GAPP's provincial bureaus will have to carry out inspections and submit before the end of January a written report and samples of vulgar products to GAPP, which will then conduct spot checks across the country.

GAPP threatened in the notice to punish audio and video producers who continued to sell the prohibited products, but did not say how.