MUMBAI: China has further tightened its media industry. It has banned any cooperation between domestic TV and radio channels with foreign companies.

According to a regulation issued by the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (Sarft), the media watchdog, local TV and radio stations should not rent their channels to foreign companies and also should not cooperate with foreign companies in running channels. Media reports indicate that SAFRT also bans any cooperation with foreign companies in regular and live programmes. Other kinds of cooperation with foreign companies should first be approved by the Sarft's provincial branches.

A report in Xinhua states that four months ago, the Sarft had issued a circular to make clear that foreign companies should not be involved in operating TV and radio channels, although it allowed foreign companies to set up joint ventures in TV, film and radio programme production.

The regulation means that the government has tightened its control over the cooperation between Chinese media and foreign companies, Beijing Morning Post commented. It said that the Qinghai Satellite TV station in western China had ceased its cooperation with News Corp which started early this year.