December 6, 2000 – A Perfect Circle's debut album has become the first western rock album to clear the strict sanctions of the Chinese government and be released in that country in three years.

The album, Mer de Noms, a Virgin Records America-owned repertoire licensed to EMI China, was released on October 30, 2000. The last western rock albums to be released in China were Use Your Illusion I and II from Guns 'n' Roses, which were released in 1997.

China has a very strict government board that approves all domestic and international recordings before they may be released into the marketplace. The fate of an album rests with this board, which determines whether or not an album's content may be considered offensive or unsuitable, in turn granting or denying its release in that country. A Perfect Circle met the required standards for release, and Mer de Noms was issued in October of this year.

This noteworthy development is another milestone in the success of A Perfect Circle. In May 2000, the band debuted on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #4, marking the highest entry ever for a rock debut album. In the US alone, Mer de Noms has already sold over one million copies and has been certified platinum. This success has been mirrored around the world, creating the demand for the album to be made available in China.