China Destroys Illegal Books and Periodicals

Authorities have destroyed 10 million illegal books and periodicals since the start of a crackdown early last year, but the numbers of such works are still rising, the official China Daily newspaper said Thursday.

Since the drive against unauthorized publications was launched in January, 1986, nearly 200 unlicensed publishing houses and 40 printing firms across the country were found to be producing works illegally under the names of licensed firms, the newspaper reported. Authorities have seized and destroyed 10 million copies of 1,000 titles of unauthorized works.

Song Muwen, vice director of the State Media and Publication Office, told the newspaper that the contents of some of the illegal works were either reactionary or pornographic.