In another move to stifle freedom of speech, China has decided to limit the broadcasting of Internet videos, included those posted on video-sharing Web sites, to sites run by state-controlled companies. Providers are also required to report so-called questionable content to the government.

It is not immediately clear how the new regulations will affect providers of Internet videos that host Web sites available to China but based in other countries, such as YouTube, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

The rules will go into effect Jan. 31, and were approved by China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information Industry.

The new policy also requires Web sites that allows users to upload video or provide video programming to obtain government permits. Applicants must be companies that either state-owned or state-controlled, the AP reported.

The rules ban the broadcasting of video that hurts China's reputation, involves national secrets, disrupts social stability or promotes pornography. If providers come across such content, they are required to delete and report it.

“Those who provide Internet video services should insist on serving the people, serve socialism ... and abide by the moral code of socialism,” the rules state, according to the AP.

San Bruno, Calif.-based YouTube is available in China, and runs a Chinese language Web site, but it is not yet clear whether any of its servers are located in China. Neither YouTube or Tudou.com, which claims to be China's largest video sharing site, did not respond to an e-mail from the AP, the news agency reported.