Overseas journalists covering the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC can for the first time contact and interview lawmakers and political advisers "directly", thanks to a newly implemented regulation that grants them more freedom in reporting the events.

The new regulation, which took effect on January 1, gives foreign reporters free access to report from China in the run-up to, and during, the 2008 Olympic Games.

The regulation also allows foreign reporters to interview and report on all aspects of China, not just the Olympics.

In line with the new regulation, foreign reporters covering the two sessions can interview NPC deputies or CPPCC members directly, if those being interviewed approve, according to the media centers of the two sessions.

The reporters could, if they wish, contact the media centers directly or the coordinator of every delegation beforehand to seek out interviewees.

By Thursday, a total of 504 overseas reporters had registered for the two sessions, most being resident in China.

Other initiatives to improve media services for overseas journalists include:

For the first time, journalists who want to cover the "two sessions" can register by filling in electronic applications on the press center website.

The press center has released a digital map on its website on which the addresses of all 35 NPC delegations are given.

More English language versions of important work reports and key documents will be provided.

The contact number of every delegation coordinator has for the first time been made public online to keep the reporters well informed.

Foreign journalists have welcomed the new measures.

"It has become more convenient to cover stories in China after the new regulation. We feel it keenly that China has become more open," a resident reporter with Japan-based NHK television station was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying.

Brian Rhoads of Reuters in China told Xinhua he will send all his reporters out to cover the sessions.

There are 606 resident journalists from 319 overseas news organizations of 49 countries and regions working in China.

(China Daily 03/03/2007 page2)