Public primary and middle schools should not use foreign textbooks, the Beijing Education Commission announced recently.

In addition, exercise books, exam papers and review materials should be given to students free, it said.

Locally chosen textbooks should be approved by city-level education authorities before being put into use, and any commercial content is prohibited.

Last year, national education authorities issued regulations saying that public schools should not use foreign textbooks. Shanghai announced that private schools should not introduce foreign courses or use foreign textbooks.

Private schools should not enroll students in so-called international classes, under the regulations.