New film law stresses ethics of celebrities

BEIJING -- China's top legislature is reviewing a draft law aiming to promote the development of the Chinese film industry on Monday, which adds items urging people in the film sector to abide by laws as well as social and professional ethics.

The bill was submitted for a second reading to the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee that runs from Monday to Saturday.

According to the draft, people working in the movie industry, including actors and directors, should strive for "excellence in both professional skills and moral integrity," and build good public images.

The draft also stresses that film distribution companies and cinemas should not fabricate movie screenings and ticket sales or take other improper means.

Those involved in skullduggery will be liable for administrative punishments, including fines up to half a million yuan, business suspension or revocation of business licenses, it says.

The new draft cancels government qualification approvals for film shooting while adds a provision stipulating that film authorities should issue archive-filing certifications or permits to prospective scripts or abstracts.

The revised version provides that films shall not contain any content preaching terrorism and extremism, and films shall be reviewed by at least three experts.

Warnings should be given to viewers, if films contain materials that might cause psychological or physical discomfort to viewers, such as minors, the draft said.