China "licenses" no more foreign magazines

In a move that will irritate and frustrate North American and European publishers who could almost taste the opportunities there, China has imposed a moratorium on licensing new foreign magazines for publication. The term "licensing" is a misnomer, since what it really means is an enforced partnership between a Chinese company and a foreign firm; it is the only way any outside publishers could get a look into the market.

Now even that has stopped, at least temporarily. It may be a reaction to the suspension of the Chinese edition of Rolling Stone, published by Wenner Media LLC. The joint publishing venture in Shanghai for the U.S. music and pop culture magazine was ordered to dissolve last month by the Chinese authorities after it put out a single issue containing material the General Administration of Press and Publications found offensive.

Paradoxically, China says its move is part of an effort to help Chinese publishers expand their foreign sales. But it really allows Chinese publishers to continue to clone -- or rip off -- foreign publications without let or hindrance.