Chinese authorities issued a set of regulations Saturday offering journalists of Hong Kong and Macao more convenience to report on the Chinese mainland in the run-up to and during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Hong Kong and Macao journalists can hire mainland citizens to assist them in reporting on the mainland in the run-up to and during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, according to the new regulations issued by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Journalists from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR may, through relevant service organizations, hire mainland citizens to assist them in their reporting activities, the regulations said.

To interview organizations or individuals in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan journalists need only to obtain their prior consent, the regulations said.

Under the new regulations, Hong Kong and Macao journalists who hold valid Olympic accreditation cards and passes to the mainland are entitled to multiple entries.

The regulations will come into force on Jan. 1, 2007, and expire on Oct. 17, 2008.

Similar regulations have already been issued for foreign journalists reporting on the 2008 Olympics on Dec. 1 and for Taiwan journalists on Dec. 27.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2006)