China's Ministry of Culture Bans Video Game as a "Threat to China's Sovereignty"

Less than a week after China’s State Administration for Radio, Film, and Television banned a Nike television commercial for "failing to uphold the dignity and interests of China" and "insulting minority cultures," Xinhua reports (an English language report is available here) that China's Ministry of Culture has banned a video game entitled "Soccer Manager 2005" for "severely violating China's laws and regulations." According to the report, the MOC has asked law enforcement personnel with public security, industry and commerce, telecommunications, and publishing agencies and organizations to shut down all distribution and confiscate all copies of the game, and punish anyone violating the ban.

The Xinhua report was not specific as to why the game was banned. It appears, however, that it was banned because its reference to the Tibet Autonomous Region as "China Tibet Province" represents a threat to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.