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)