Global Trade Alert

On 6 February 2009, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China (SARFT) issued a decision to abolish the Interim Provisions on the Administration of Producing Radio and TV Program by foreign-owned and contractual Joint Ventures with SARFT Order '2009' No.59.
The Interim Provisions (published as SARFT Order '2004' No.44) allowed foreign investment in producing radio and TV programmes in China as long as Chinese investors controled no less than 51% of the shares of the company.
However, in 2007, producing radio and TV programmes was banned from foreign investment according to the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries ( Amended in 2007).
The abolishment of the Interim Provision eliminates the conflict between the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment and the Interim Provision; and confirm that foreign investment in production of radio and TV programmes is completely banned.