China has issued stricter measures to regulate the country's Internet-based PC games market.

All new businesses must have an initial capital of ten million yuan, or about US$1.2 million, before they can apply for entry into the games market. That's ten times more than the sum in 2003.

Any games that contain pornography, violence or gambling are forbidden in the country and manufacturers may be subject to criminal charges.

Most significantly, the regulations require those who play violent games to register with a real identity from their ID cards. These measures will effectively bar those who are not yet adults from access to these games.

(CRI August 9, 2005)