BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Foreign investors can build and operate cinemas and performing art agencies conditionally, but are banned to set up or run news organizations in China, according to a newly issued government document.

    The document was jointly worked out by five ministries including the Ministry of Culture and State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, in a bid to safeguard the county's culture industry and ensure the industry's healthy development.

    The document prohibits foreign investors from establishing or running news organizations, broadcasting stations, TV stations and film manufacturing companies, performing troupes, film imports, exports and distribution.

    It forbids foreign investors from undertaking businesses such as book and magazine publishing, wholesale and imports. Foreign investors can not enter into the publication field in the name of book distribution, printing, advertising and culture facility reconstruction.

    Meanwhile the government lowered the admission standards in certain areas. Foreigners can build Chinese-foreign cooperative enterprises and Chinese-foreign joint ventures of package material printing, book and magazine distribution and artwork sales.

    But it stipulates that Chinese partner's investment ratio should not be lower than 51 percent in these joint ventures and in any of these companies, the Chinese side should take the leading role. Only by doing so can foreign partners build and run theaters, cinemas, brokerage companies and participate in transforming publishing companies into stockholding companies. Enditem