While acknowledging there have been more foreign media coverage, especially more "objective" reporting on China over the past year, top publicity official Cai Wu also criticized some "renowned press" for irresponsible negative reports on the country.

Foreign media's reports on China rose by 30 to 40 percent in 2006, said Cai Wu, minister in charge of the Information Office of the State Council at a press conference. "And to my delight, the number of objective reports on China in the field of economy and society increased enormously."

Cai also claimed that "positive or completely objective" reporting on China by foreign press is still at a very low proportion.

"Some renowned press organizations have carried various investigative reports and comments on China by those who have never come to China or know nothing about China but base their reports on so-called materials provided by some (unreliable) sources," he said.

"I don't think this is responsible reporting," Cai said.

Source: Xinhua