BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) Tuesday issued a regulation banning any cooperation in channel operation between local TV and radio stations and foreign companies, Wednesday's Beijing Morning Post reported.

    The regulation stipulates that all local TV and radio stations should not rent their channels to foreign companies and also should not cooperate with foreign companies in running channels.

    It also bans any cooperation with foreign companies in regular and live programs. Other kinds of cooperation with foreign companies should first be approved by the SARFT's provincial branches.

    Four months ago, the SARFT issued a circular to make clear thatforeign companies should not be involved in operating TV and radiochannels, although it allowed foreign companies to set up joint ventures in TV, film and radio program production.

    The regulation means that the government has tightened its control over the cooperation between Chinese media and foreign companies, said the paper.

    It said that the Qinghai Satellite TV Station in western China had ceased its cooperation with the news corporation held by Rupert Murdock, which started early this year. Enditem