China's `Rolling Stone' hits bump

Just weeks after its launch, the Chinese-language edition of Rolling Stone magazine faces an uncertain future after authorities said they had dissolved its publishing agreement with a local partner.

The reason for the dissolution wasn't clear, with a Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau official merely saying there was a "problem with the formalities."

However, the official, who wouldn't give her name or title, denied the magazine had been ordered to stop publishing.

"The term stopped the publication is incorrect," she said. "What we stopped was the publishing cooperation between Rolling Stone and Audiovisual World (音像世界)" -- the magazine's local partner.

She said Audiovisual World still had permission to publish the magazine.

China's publishing market is technically closed to foreign publications, but many international brand magazines, including Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan, are permitted to circulate, subject to partnership with local publishers, strict licensing and content guidelines.

The Shanghai official appeared to imply that Audiovisual World could continue to publish some form of Rolling Stone.

A woman who answered the phone at Audiovisual World's offices wouldn't comment on the official's remarks, saying only: "If that's what they said is happening, then that is what's happening."

But a source with the Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau implied that Rolling Stone might be better off teamed with a stronger local partnership than Audiovisual World, a small player in China's publishing industry.

"The co-operation model between Rolling Stone and a local partner could be similar to Elle which has already had success," he said, referring to the global glossy magazine's successful entry into China's publishing market with a highly connected, state-owned publisher.

Rolling Stone's editor in chief, Hao Fang (郝舫), declined to comment on the Shanghai bureau's action, but said he still planned to bring out next month's issue.

"What I can tell you is that we're still working as usual," Hao said.

It wasn't clear whether the magazine had a problem with its paperwork or if it was being targeted for its content.

Last month's inaugural edition featured Chinese rock pioneer Cui Jian (崔建) -- famed at home but largely unknown abroad -- on the cover, along with articles on topics such as U2 frontman Bono, Taiwanese star Jay Chou (周杰倫), and Mu Zimei (木子美), a controversial blogger whose candid accounts of sexual adventures led to her site being closed down.

The only article to deal with politics was one on the influence of rock music on ending the Cold War -- a subject still considered sensitive by China's communist rulers.

The Chinese version was the 11th international edition of Rolling Stone, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.

The Chinese version's debut edition quickly sold out its print run of 120,000 -- marking four times the initial projected circulation of the magazine.