Game machines click with FTZ

China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is expecting its first showroom of game machines, according to Shanghai Oriental Huiwen International Cultural Service Trading Co Ltd, a cultural exchange service provider behind the project, Oriental Morning Post reported on Monday.

Hu Huanzhong, a spokesman for Shanghai Oriental Huiwen, said the showroom, if successfully launched, will cover a space of some 700 square meters and will open in July.

The showroom will host game machines from a machine maker with the third-largest market share in Japan, said Hu.

China banned game consoles in 2000 over concerns about their effect on the mental health of youngsters. The zone is aimed at boosting trade involving, among other sectors, cultural services.