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China temporarily lifts its ban on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U

14-year ban previously blocked sale of foreign consoles in potentially lucrative Chinese market.

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Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will likely be popping open a few champagne bottles after China announced it has now temporarily lifted its long-standing ban on foreign video game consoles, allowing the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U an opportunity to stake a claim in a potentially massive market.

The ban had been in effect for the past 14 years.

Reuters reports that the Chinese State Council now allows the big three console manufacturers to make consoles within Shanghai's free trade zone and then sell them in China, provided they get government approval.

No other information was made available.

China floated a proposal to lift the ban back in September, with the announcement following a $237 million investment by Microsoft into Chinese TV company BesTV.

The country began its console ban in 2000, following concerns about potential harm to the physical and mental development of children.

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