Actor Zhao Benshan is interviewed by the press people during the recent Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference meeting in Beijing. (Photo : Reuters)
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) is set to discuss with other departments plans to improve existing laws regulating the television and movie industry as well as review copyright laws and intellectual property rules at the coming annual legislative meeting.
SAPPRFT made the announcement on March 4, Wednesday, in time for the country's annual legislative meeting which opened on March 5.
Cai Fuchao, director-general of the SAPPRFT, said that they will seek to clarify existing laws and add new ones if necessary at the annual meeting.
SAPPRFT said that this was in response to Hollywood complaints that the country's laws are not sufficient to guard against movie piracy. The meeting is also expected to address the rules in formulating decisions on censorship.
"We should reinforce our sense of law, form a rule of law thinking, and improve our ability to rule according to law," Cai was quoted as saying.
The Hollywood Reporter said that the lack of clear censorship rules has prevented Hollywood to gain access to China's lucrative movie industry.
Wang Xingdong, the deputy head of the China Directors' Guild, had earlier said this week that censorship of movies must be based on legal rules and not on individual decision of a government official.
Cai, however, pledged to have the legislature adopt a more effective mechanism in law-making, maximize the use of existing laws to address issue, and boost their capabilities in problem-solving. He added that a new law is essential for Internet governance and the development of the industries.
