Chinese authorities launched a nationwide crackdown on Wednesday on illegal and pornographic publications, destroying 46.85 million items.

The crackdown covered the country's 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, according to the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office.

There were 17 provinces, cities and autonomous regions destroying up to 1 million illegal items, including Shanghai, Jiangsu and Beijing.

Guangdong Province had the largest number at 10 million, the office said.

On April 12, the office began a national crackdown on obscene audio-visual products, confiscating nearly 3 million discs during a 10-day period.

Jiang Jianguo, a senior official from the office, said the government wanted to purify the social environment and fulfill its commitment against pirated content to the world community.

"This has become a world issue that requires more international cooperation," Jiang added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)