China on Friday issued a set of regulations granting foreign journalists more freedom to report in China in the run-up and during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The regulations will come into force on January 1, 2007 and expire on October 17, 2008.

According to the new regulations, foreign journalists who are non-residents in China will not necessarily have to be accompanied or assisted by a Chinese official when they report in China, Liu Jianchao, director of the Information Department of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference.

"Foreign journalists also no longer need to apply to provincial foreign affairs offices for permission to carry out reporting in all provinces of China ... but need only to obtain prior consent of the organizations or individuals they want to interview," said Liu.

Liu also cited Article 7 which said "foreign journalists may, through organizations providing services to foreign nationals, hire Chinese citizens to assist them in their reporting activities".

"The regulations have been made following international practices and in the spirit of providing convenience for foreign journalists to carry out reporting activities in China during the Beijing Olympic Games and the preparatory period," said Liu.

Source: Xinhua