Following the government announcement of a crackdown on private tutoring in July this year, Chinese authorities have now issued further notice on the regulation of off-campus tutoring advertisements. 

The notice states that local governments must immediately launch campaigns to address and eliminate off-campus tutoring advertisements on both online and offline channels. Advertisements appearing in public places such as the subway and bus station are barred from featuring off-campus tutoring. 

Authorities will also need to engage in regulatory talks with internet companies, advertising operators, major media outlets, and key off-campus educational institutions to maintain their tough stance on regulating the private tutoring sector and its accompanying advertisements. 

Internet platforms, outdoor advertising operators, and mainstream media outlets are also required to conduct self-regulation checks to ensure they are not displaying off-campus tutorial advertisements. 

Lastly, sponsored advertorials and programs funded by off-campus training institutions are also banned. The notice also noted additional efforts are being implemented to ensure the flow of information on media and internet platforms does not infringe the new message. 

The notice was published jointly by nine regulators, including the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Education, and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. 

Since July, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has investigated and handled 1,570 cases of illegal advertising, with total fines for illegal advertising reaching ¥30.6 million. 

To know more about ever-changing advertising regulations in China, contact our China advertising consultant at: enquiry@so360.hk. 

(Sources: CGTN, Chinadaily.com.cn, SCMP)