China has closed down 3,727 illegal printing factories and confiscated 2.79 million yuan (US$336,000) in a crackdown on illegal publications since October 1998.

Authorities have dealt with 1,767 cases and seized more than 6 million illegal books or brochures, including those advocating the Falun Gong cult.

People involved in the cases have been punished, according to authorities.

The government also ordered more than 20,000 printing enterprises and 12,200 photocopy and printing centers to shut down because they failed to meet professional standards.

The Press and Publication Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, jointly carried out the crackdown.

Yu Youxian, director of the Press and Publication Administration, said that the institutional reforms in printing enterprises across the country are basically over.

He said printing enterprises are to be managed by press and publication administrations in various regions.

After the crackdown, printing businesses have dropped to 151,900 from 185,000 two years ago.

Currently, the industry employs 3.5 million people.

(eastday.com 2000/09/27)