The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) of China said Wednesday that the country will next year start to implement a five-year program advocating clean online games.

Sun Shoushan, vice director of the GAPP, said the administration will put forward the "China Green Online Games Publishing Program" this year and the implementation begins since next year.

The official made the remarks at a forum during the seventh session of the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference (Chinajoy), one day after the GAPP issued a notice warning of the illegal release of online games and declaring stricter control on the games' approval.

Some illegal companies release pornographic and violent games on the Internet, the notice said.

Sun did not define what "green" online games are during his speech at the forum. However, he blamed some companies for neglecting social responsibility in the pursuit of economic benefits.

"Some companies provide unhealthy and persuasive contents in online games for players, especially the young ones, so as to attract players and make unlawful profits," he said.

The online game industry in China is expected to grow by between30 percent and 50 percent this year, with a sales revenue of 24-27billion yuan (3.51-3.95 billion U.S. dollars), according to the official.

China has about 200 million online game players.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2009)