China to reinstate reporting restrictions

Reporting rules which were relaxed for foreign journalists ahead of the Beijing Olympics will not be extended, China said today.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that the regulation will expire next month.

The rules had exempted foreign reporters from having to apply for permission to travel and conduct interviews.

They were part of China's pledge to increase media freedom - a promise that helped Beijing win the honour of hosting the 2008 Olympics.

Mr Jiang said Beijing will continue to welcome foreign reporters.

The rules never applied to Chinese journalists, and the government's grip on the domestic media remains tight, dictating what can be reported.