Japanese technology manufacturer, Sony, has signed a contract to begin producing and selling its PlayStation 4 in mainland China.
The agreement, announced on May 26, partners Sony with Shanghai-listed Shanghai Oriental Pearl.
The news comes following China ending its 14-year ban on foreign manufactured consoles in January this year, which prevented Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo from selling goods to the Chinese public.
Although PlayStation and Xboxes have been illegally available in China, the products were banned in 2000 after authorities deemed them detrimental to the mental health of China’s youth.
The gaming market achieved 38% growth in 2013 making £8.37bn.
The partnership will be 49% owned by Sony and Shanghai Oriental Pearl will control 51%.
