China opened a website, www.zgjx.cn, on Thursday which is designed to be used by the country's more than 700,000 journalists.

Also the official site of the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) the website aims to promote exchanges among journalists and safeguard their rights and interests, said Zhai Huisheng, ACJA vice-chairman.

"We hope the new website can act as a channel for Chinese journalists to exchange information and achieve common progress," Zhai said at the launch ceremony.

He explained the website would also serve as a channel for the public to comment on those competing for major journalism awards. Representative works and background information of competitors will all be posted on the website.

Xinhuanet.com, the news website of Xinhua News Agency, will build and operate the new website on behalf of the ACJA.

Lu Wei, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, said they'd work for the safe and smooth operation of the website.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2007)