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:
Regulation 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 January
1, 2007 and expire on October 17, 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2006)