In a decree signed by Premier Wen Jiabao, China on Friday issued
a set of regulations on reporting activities in China by foreign
journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the preparatory
period. The following are the full text of the regulations:
REGULATIONS ON REPORTING ACTIVITIES IN CHINA BY
FOREIGN JOURNALISTS DURING THE BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE
PREPARATORY PERIOD
Article 1
These Regulations are formulated to facilitate
reporting activities carried out in accordance with the laws of the
People's Republic of China by foreign journalists in China to
advance and promote the Olympic Spirit during the Beijing Olympic
Games and the preparatory period.
Article 2
These Regulations apply to reporting activities
carried out by foreign journalists covering the Beijing Olympic
Games and related matters in China during the Beijing Olympic Games
and the preparatory period.
The Beijing Olympic Games mentioned in the
Regulations refer to the 29th Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic
Games.
Article 3
Foreign journalists who intend to come to China
for reporting should apply for visas at Chinese embassies,
consulates or other visa-issuing institutions authorized by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Foreign journalists who hold valid Olympic
Identity and Accreditation Cards and Paralympic Identity and
Accreditation Cards are entitled to multiple entries into the
territory of the People's Republic of China with visa exemption by
presenting Olympic Identity and Accreditation Cards, together with
valid passports or other travel documents.
Article 4
Foreign journalists may bring a reasonable
quantity of reporting equipments into China duty free for their own
use. The aforementioned equipments should be shipped out of China's
territory at the end of their reporting activities.
To bring into China reporting equipment duty free
for their own use, foreign journalists should apply for the
Equipment Confirmation Letter at Chinese embassies or consulates
and present the Equipment Confirmation Letter together with a J-2
visa when going through customs inspection. Foreign journalists who
hold Olympic Identity and Accreditation Cards and Paralympic
Identity and Accreditation Cards may present the Equipment
Confirmation Letter issued by the Organizing Committee of the 29th
Olympic Games when going through customs inspection.
Article 5
For reporting needs, foreign journalists may, on
a temporary basis, bring in, install and use radio communication
equipment after completing the required application and approval
procedures.
Article 6
To interview organizations or individuals in
China, foreign journalists need only to obtain their prior
consent.
Article 7
Foreign journalists may, through organizations
providing services to foreign nationals, hire Chinese citizens to
assist them in their reporting activities.
Article 8
The media guide for foreign journalists of the
Beijing Olympic Games shall be formulated by the Organizing
Committee of the 29th Olympic Games in accordance with these
Regulations.
Article 9
These Regulations shall come into force as of 1
January 2007 and expire on 17 October 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2006)