China to merge press, broadcasting regulators

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China plans to merge two regulators into one to oversee the press, publication, radio, film and television sectors.

The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television will be integrated into one single regulatory authority, according to a report to be delivered Sunday by State Councilor Ma Kai to the annual session of the national legislature.

The move is to coordinate resources of each sector and promote reform of cultural institutions, according to the report handed out ahead of the meeting.

The new administration will be responsible for promoting development of the sectors and supervising related agencies and their businesses, the report said.

The new administration will also run the function of the National Copyright Administration, which currently goes to the GAPP.