Chinese and overseas journalists are being invited to cover the upcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), sources close to the congress said on Thursday.

Applications for covering the congress can be submitted from Aug. 31 to Oct. 9.

Journalists from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SAR) are asked to present their applications to the liaison offices of the central people's government in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, and correspondents from Taiwan are asked to submit their applications to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Foreign correspondents are required to submit applications to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, the Special Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR or the Special Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in the Macao SAR.

Foreign correspondents in China can present their applications to the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry.

Reporters from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign countries should also present letters of representation from their media organizations or correspondent certifications when submitting applications.

During the congress, a media center will be set up in Beijing to help organize press conferences and arrange interviews for reporters.

The 17th National Congress of the CPC is scheduled to be convened in Beijing from Oct. 15.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)