China blocks illegal publications in Tibetan regions

BEIJING - The government has vowed to intensify a crackdown on illegal publications and reactionary promotional products targeting audiences in Tibetan regions.

"Sharing information and investigating cases will be part of joint prevention and control efforts among multiple provincial departments," Li Changjiang, a senior official from the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office, said at a meeting on Wednesday.

Li said the crackdown will target books, newspapers, magazines, promotional pamphlets, text messages, audio and visual products, TV and radio programs, as well as electronic publications that are deemed to be illegal or reactionary.

Li called for regional governments to take the lead in investigating such publications, as well as asked related departments to cooperate with the local governments.

Figures from the office show that more than 1.32 million illegal publications and promotional items have been confiscated since 2011 in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.