China cracks down on 'vulgar' video (AP)

BEIJING - China is launching a nationwide crackdown on sexually suggestive video and audio products, in the latest effort by government censors to curb content considered to be in bad taste.

During the three-month campaign, audio and video producers should stop making "vulgar" products and recall those that are already on the market, China's General Administration of Press and Publication said.

"Some of the video and audio products are coarsely made, containing materials of bad taste," the regulator said in a notice on its Web site.

The questionable material includes suggestive language and partially nude images used to promote sales, it said.

Spot checks will be conducted throughout the country and companies that continue to make and sell the prohibited products will be punished, it said.

No other details of the punishment or campaign were given.

Last week, Beijing pulled a movie already censored for its sexually explicit scenes from theaters and banned its producer for two years. The order against "Lost in Beijing" said the movie -- about deteriorating morals amid China's rapid economic growth -- was promoted with "unhealthy, improper" advertisements.

Days before, regulators issued a new warning about pornography and a requirement that video sharing Web sites apply for permits.

The order about pornography said some movie companies and Web site operators had illegally broadcast pornography and "inflicted significant harm on youth audiences."

Under the online video sharing restrictions, only state-controlled sites are allowed to post any videos, including those shared by users. Internet providers are also required to delete and report a variety of improper content.

In recent months, China has also issued new rules for talent and reality shows which have also been deemed vulgar by authorities.