Newspaper reform limited to business operation, says official

Reforms to eight newspapers designated by the central government are limited to their business operations, and no matter how reforms are conducted, the Party's governance of the media must not be changed, an official from the General Administration of Press and Publication told China Youth Daily on August 2.

Commenting on reports released by a Beijing newspaper about the "first joint venture of press and publication" being settled down in south China's Chongqing Municipality, the official said this is not accurate because the joint venture is only responsible for the business operation of the said newspaper. At present, the parties involved only signed a letter of intent and they can only go into formal operation as of January 1 next year in line with relevant regulations.

What's more, China's first joint venture in the field of press and publication approved by the Administration is the one set up by Hong Kong-based Global China Group and People's Daily in 2002, in which People's Daily holds a 51 percent share of equities.

The eight pilot units designated by the central government for trial reforms last year in four press groups (Henan Daily, Xinhua Daily, Dazhong Daily and Shenzhen Daily) and four newspapers (Popular Computer Week, China Securities Journal, Beijing Youth Daily and Tonight, or Evening News of Tianjin).

Reforms in these newspapers are all confined to the domain of their business operations, and the right of publication and media ownership are still owned by the competent authorities.

No matter how reforms are carried out, Party governance over the press, carders, the guiding role of the mass media and assets must not be changed, the official stressed.

By People's Daily Online