Asian Tech Press (Nov 24) -- Chinese watchdog has required Tencent Holdings Ltd to submit new apps and updates for review before they can be hit the app stores.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) demanded that for new App products to be released by Tencent, as well as updated versions of its existing App products, they need to be technically tested before they can be uploaded to app stores, and they will normally be launched after passing the test.

Rumors are circulating on Chinese social media platforms today that Tencent was banned from launching new apps or updates, and that various app stores and distribution platforms were immediately enforced it.

Tencent said Wednesday afternoon that the company is continuing to upgrade various measures to protect users' rights and interests in apps and cooperate with regulators for normal compliance testing.

At present, Tencent's app downloads are normal in official and various application stores, and there is no case of downgrading, and app users are not affected.

According to MIIT's announcement, the regulatory move is mainly due to the fact that Tencent's nine app products have violated rules since this year, and a total of four batches of apps have been publicly notified and criticized.