Overseas reporters to Beijing Olympics to be well served

Senior leader Li Changchun pledged Thursday that China will provide good media services for journalists covering the Olympics, saying that they can lodge complaints directly to Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), if they feel dissatisfied.

Li made the remarks during an inspection tour at the 2008 Beijing International Media Center (BIMC), which opened on Tuesday to serve more than 5,000 non-accredited reporters during the Games.

"China will earnestly abide by relevant regulations on foreign journalists' reporting activities in the country," Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told reporters.

He meanwhile expressed hopes that overseas journalists can make full coverage of the Olympics and tell the world a true China.

Li urged the BIMC staff to ensure smooth and safe transmission of signals during the Games, a major concern of overseas journalists.

In addition, he voiced confidence in the Olympic security.

"China is fully capable of ensuring a safe Games," he said.

The BIMC is a newly decorated hotel that covers an area of 60,000 square meters. From the first to the fourth floor, it has three working areas, two press conference halls, an exhibition area and a catering area. Above the fourth floor are all guest rooms that are only open to journalists during the Games.

The Main Press Center (MPC) and International Broadcasting Center (IBC) of the Olympic Games were also opened on Tuesday, kicking off the media service for the event.

On Jan. 1, 2007, regulations on foreign journalists' reporting activities in China during the Beijing Olympics and preparatory period took effect. Under the new rule, foreign journalists no longer have to be accompanied or assisted by a Chinese official when they report in the country. They also no longer need to apply to provincial foreign affairs offices for permission to report in all of the country's provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Source: Xinhua