To ensure an efficient management of the online games industry and make sure prominent problems of the industry are solved, China's Ministry of Culture has issued a provisional measure on the management of online games.

As the first ministerial level regulation on computer games, the 39-clause provisional measure gives clear stipulations on the content, market subject, business activities, operational behaviors, management and legal responsibilities of computer games.

The new measure has set forth the basic principles for engaging in online games activities and concepts such as network games, online operation of computer games and virtual coins as well as rules on online game content management, teenager protection and virtual currency distribution.

The rule is slated to be formally enacted on August 1, 2010.