Rolling Stone China on shaky ground

Just a few weeks after its launch, Rolling Stone China is uncertain about its future because authorities say they have dissolved a publishing agreement.

Officials at the Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau said there was a “problem with formalities” but denied the magazine had been ordered to stop publishing.

“What we stopped was the publishing cooperation between Rolling Stone and Audiovisual World,” the official told the Associated Press.

Foreign magazines require a local partner in order to get a Chinese licence to publish. Audiovisual World is the rock magazine’s local partner. Reports say the authorities seem to be implying Audiovisual World could still publish a form of the magazine.

Hao Fang, Rolling Stone China’s chief editor, vowed the second issue would be on newsstands in April: “What I can tell you is that we’re still working as usual.”

The magazine made a huge splash on March 6 with a run of 120,000 issues, which sold quickly.

The inaugural edition featured Chinese rock pioneer Cui Jian on the cover, along with articles on U2 frontman Bono and Taiwanese pop star star Jay Chou.

Hao said he planned to stay away from sticky political issues. But the first issue did have articles on two sensitive topics – one on the influence of rock music in ending the Cold War, and another on blogger Muzimei, whose tales of her sex life have gained wide popularity.

It’s unclear whether bureaucrats are exerting their authority because of a procedural bungle or because of the magazine’s content.