Re-igniting the ratings debate

Members of the film industry attending the ongoing Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, China's top advisory body, re-ignited the thorny issue of a movie ratings system for the Chinese mainland.

"No movie can satisfy the tastes of all filmgoers at all times. As a director, I support the launch of a ratings system," said Zhang Yimou at a group discussion on art and literature with other CPPCC members on Wednesday in a Beijing hotel.

"Establishing a ratings system does not mean a green light for violent and sexually-explicit films pouring into our society, but is aimed at categorizing films for different audiences," he said, adding that he was not sure why such a system could not be launched in China.