China edging closer to creating its own movie rating system

China has completed the first draft of a long-discussed movie rating system, according to Xinhua. The draft has been submitted to the State Council, though whether the law will be reviewed or approved this year is still up for grabs.

"A film rating system is very essential in China, but it will not allow to screen movies rated Level Three," Tong Gang, director of Motion Picture Bureau with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) was quoted as saying by a report on Web site of Ministry of Culture.

Level Three, or III, is one of the three-tier ratings used for movies containing sex or violent contents in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. No one under 18 years old is permitted to rent, purchase or watch such a film in movie theater.

"The government has been conducting discussion, investigation and opinion solicitation to establish a rating system," Tong said, "but our system will be definitely different from those in other countries or regions."