New rise in Chinese film market vicissitudes(4)

LOOSER CENSORSHIP

The latest change in the nation's domestic film industry may be a positive signal, both for home and abroad.

A circular issued on Wednesday by the State Council, or China's cabinet, stated that the administration has canceled reviews and approvals for general film screenplays. Instead, summaries for such productions will still be subject to public notification.

This joins the cancellation of 20 other items on radio plays, publications and movies that used to require government approval, according to Wednesday's circular.

Rao Shuguang, deputy director of the Beijing-based China Film Art Research Center, said the elimination is positive as it showed "China's review and approval system is transforming from rule of man to rule of law."