In order to bring better harmony to China's advertising sector, the country has announced new regulations that stipulate advertising companies must freely provide their prices and service rates.

The National Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce published the rules which will take effect on January 1, 2006.

The names, contents, fee collection methods and any discounts that the advertising company offers must be published along with any type of media creative such as page size for the advertisement.

China's advertising sector has been criticized in the past for engaging in corrupt practices, and the new regulations are meant to help bring transparency to the industry.