China's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) released recently the Circular on Strengthening the Examination and Approval for Imported Internet Games (Circular) to regulate the pre-examination and approval of release of internet games and supervision of such games which are authorized by the foreign copyright owners, and regulate the exhibition and trade of imported internet games.

Under the Circular, enterprises must release and operate internet games in the territory of China upon the pre-examination and approval of the GAPP. They must also obtain the license of providing publication service on the internet which shall include the internet game publication services.

Besides, the exhibition, demonstration, trade and promotion of the overseas games which are held China must be reported to the GAPP for examination and approval in accordance with the provisions concerning the examination and approval of the imported internet games.