BEIJING: International app developers and tech brands are set to be affected, as China tightens restrictions on foreign-owned publishers in a crackdown on online content.
From March 10, China will ban all foreign publishers – even those operating in a local joint venture – from directly publishing content online in the country without prior permission from the Chinese government.
Though foreign media have long been unable to operate freely, the new rules will not only apply to text but also all digitally distributed books, video, pictures (including cartoons), music, maps, animations or games. The new rules will also cover all content related to arts, literature and science of "an informational or thoughtful nature".
The new decree will further complicate the operations of international media publications in China but will also have a significant impact on multinational brands operating in the market, many of whom are using local joint ventures.