China's censors yesterday halted the sale of 45 unapproved foreign computer games and 26 domestic online games containing pornography, violence and gambling.

The General Administration of Press and Publication said the imported computer games had not been approved and the domestic games had added illegal content or gambling functions after obtaining approval.

The overseas games include Omerta, a text-based multiplayer roleplaying online game related to Mafia stories of the 1930s.

The GAPP also ordered 27 Internet companies to stop providing online platforms for illegal games, and urged online game designers to install anti-addiction systems in their products.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Culture said 5.48 million illegal publications had been confiscated during the first six months of the year, in a crackdown ahead of National Day on October 1.

More than 21.72 million illegal video and audio products and 21,681 electronic games machines had been seized.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2009)