Authorities seize 4m illegal publications

BEIJING - Authorities in the World Expo host city of Shanghai had confiscated more than 4.28 million illegal publications as of July in a crackdown launched in April, the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office said Wednesday.

Of the 4.28 million illegal publications seized, more than 2.98 million were pirated audiovisual products, more than 76,000 were pornographic, and more than 1.23 million were illegal newspapers and periodicals, an official from the office said during a weekly briefing.

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Altogether 2,179 stalls selling illegal publications have been shut down during the crackdown and 80 illegal websites closed, figures from the office showed.

The campaign, which runs till October 31, aims to protect intellectual property rights with an emphasis on fighting piracy during the six-month Shanghai World Expo, which opened May 1.

Shanghai authorities have set up a special team to inspect the main commercial districts, tourist spots, and areas around the Expo site, the official said.

Shanghai authorities also made joint efforts with neighboring provinces including Jiangsu and Zhejiang to fight illegal publications by signing an agreement to share information and cooperate in investigations.