In early February 2013, Chinese lawmakers placed a ban on television and radio advertising for luxury goods. According to Reuters (via Business Insider), the ban is "part of a push by the government to crack down on extravagance and waste."
According to Xinhua, the official press agency of China, a spokesman for the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said:
"As important cultural and ideological strongholds, radio and television channels should fully exert their role of educating the people, carrying forward good Chinese traditions and civilized lifestyles, and taking the lead to implement the requirements of central authorities."
The Chinese government is using a ban on certain advertisements as a way to control its people and limit their access to information.
This ban has already had a negative impact on the Chinese economy. According to China Daily, the sales of luxury goods within China hit a five-year low between January 20 and February 20, 2013. It's also been suggested by the blog Tech in Asia that the ban on radio and television advertising might have a positive impact on internet ads, but these has not yet been concrete evidence to prove that is the case.