Shanghai residents can finally get their hands on a PS4
China has lifted a longstanding ban on video game consoles in its free trade zone surrounding Shanghai. The move comes after years of discussion, but little action. Marketplace’s Rob Schmitz in Shanghai says the Chinese government’s reasoning boils down to economics.
“This year, China’s economy is slowing down, and the government has put a renewed focus on attracting more foreign investment,” Schmitz says. “And one of the cornerstone economic policies of the Xi Jinping administration is setting up China’s first free trade zone here in Shanghai to attract foreign companies. So, lifting this 14-year-old ban is a way to do that.”
To hear more about China’s video game console ban, click the audio player above.
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