China lifts longtime ban on gaming consoles

(ECNS) -- The ban on producing and selling gaming consoles has been fully lifted across China after a trial run in the Shanghai pilot Free Trade Zone, according to a notification issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Thursday.

Foreign firms in the FTZ have been given the green light to both manufacture and sell consoles and games in the Chinese mainland after gaining approval in September 2014, lifting a more than one decade ban on the gaming and console industry.

The policy will be valid for both domestic and foreign companies involved in the sector.

China implemented a strict ban on the sector in 2000, with businesses and individuals unable to operate in the manufacture and sale of consoles and games.

Both Microsoft and Sony have recently unveiled a new series of game services for China.