According to the Foreign Media Service Guide released by Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) on last Wednesday, the foreign media organizations and foreign journalists will be free to report during the 2008 Olympic Games.

BOCOG summarized the Service Guide on its official website,

The Guide covers such a dozen matters as visa application, customs clearance, travel and interview, employment of Chinese mainland citizens, rental of housing and offices, application for radio frequency occupation, acquisition of a temporary driving permit, taxation and insurance with which accredited media organizations for the Beijing Olympic Games, including rights-holding broadcasters, accredited written and photographic press, as well as non-accredited media are generally concerned for the coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Guide has done its best to give client-oriented interpretations to every section and detailed step by step explanation to the procedures to satisfy the needs of the media.

In addition, the Guide has announced “One-stop” service mechanism for the international media to help them solve any problems that may occur during their coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games. It is an all-round 24-hour service mechanism provided by the Beijing Olympic Media Center, which coordinates different departments of the Chinese Government to grant permits and deliver services to all the media organizations and help them solve any problems.

The purpose to publish the Guide is to provide a brief and clear interpretation and explanation on issues concerning laws and policies for media on their working conditions and simultaneously provide easy-to-operate assistance information on relevant procedures.

The Service Guide for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan media will be available very soon. You can download the full text of the Guide at http://en.beijing2008.cn/upload/Service_Guide_en.pdf.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 international journalists are expected to go to China during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.