The number of overseas reporters registered to cover the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has seen a remarkable increase over the previous congress, showing the world's rising attention to a rapidly changing China.

Two reporters from Cuba select free books at the media center for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Thursday. [Photo/China Daily]

Although there was still more than one day to go until the registration deadline on Friday night, the number of overseas journalists registered by Thursday noon had surpassed the number for the last Party congress by a big margin, Zhai Huisheng, director of the media center of the congress, told China Daily on Thursday afternoon.

He would not disclose the exact number, but said that the figure is still rising.

About 1,200 overseas reporters registered to cover the 17th CPC National Congress in 2007.

Zhai said overseas reporters this year are from more media organizations, many of them from developing economies.

"Many reporters are not based in China and they come here for the congress," he said. "It shows the huge attention of the international community to the congress."

At a meeting on Sept 28, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee proposed convening the 18th CPC National Congress on Nov 8 in Beijing.

To prepare for the congress, the seventh plenary session of the 17th CPC Central Committee opened in Beijing on Thursday.

Thursday also marked the official opening of the congress's media center in Beijing Media Center Hotel.