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China suspends approval for new online games as crackdown widens
The decision was revealed at a meeting between Chinese authorities and industry giants Tencent Holdings Ltd and NetEase Inc, the report said, adding that it was not clear until when the suspension would last.
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The headquarters of Tencent, the parent company of Chinese social media company WeChat, are seen in Beijing on August 7, 2020. (AFP/Greg Baker)
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hina has temporarily suspended approval for all new online games in a bid to curb a gaming addiction among young people, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday citing people with knowledge of the matter.
The decision was revealed at a meeting between Chinese authorities and industry giants Tencent Holdings Ltd and NetEase Inc, the report said, adding that it was not clear until when the suspension would last.
Beijing on Wednesday had summoned gaming firms including Tencent and NetEase, the two market leaders in China's multi-billion-dollar gaming scene, to discuss further curbs on the industry, which has already been ordered to limit gaming time to three hours a week.
Tencent declined to comment. NetEase did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
China moved in August to ban under-18s from playing video games for more than three hours a week, saying this was needed to curb a growing addiction to what it once described as "spiritual opium".
China has conducted a broad crackdown on a wide range of sectors including tech, education and property to strengthen government control after years of runaway growth.
Chinese authorities have also ordered gaming giants to cut content perceived to be breeding "effeminacy", as Beijing tries to direct youth culture, gender ideals and the reach of big tech.
