The Chinese government in the form of its General Administration of Press and Publication has, according to its own website, "issued a notice, decided to terminate the World of Warcraft (The Burning Crusade) for approval, returned to the applicant."

In short, it's demanding that World of Warcraft is shut down in China.

The game was being run in that country by NetEase, having recently been awarded the rights by Activision Blizzard.

The GAPP also claims that "(The) Notice also asked, NetEase to immediately stop the breach, correct the error, stop charging (for) the new account registration. Press and Publications Department will be made as appropriate according to their corresponding administrative punishments, including suspension of their Internet access service."

The reason for this is is that NetEase is accused of, "without the consent of the circumstances (on) September 19 (it introduced) unauthorized charges and provide(d) a new account registration behaviour, has resulted in a de facto open operating service, a serious violation of the country on online games..."

Reuters is reporting that this is in fact, "the result of an apparent governmental turf war highlighting the risks the sector faces."