The Chinese government said online and mobile game products must now be officially approved before they are sold.

The Ministry of Culture said that the move is intended to protect Chinese children from the influence of unwholesome online games.

Games already on sale must be submitted to the ministry for approval by September this year and those caught distributing unauthorized products will be severely punished.

More than 80 percent of the nearly 140 online games available in China are imported. Some have content deemed violent, sexually explicit or harmful to national security.