Chinese mainland issued a set of regulations Wednesday offering Taiwan journalists more convenience to report on the mainland in the run-up to and during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

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The regulations, issued by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, will come into force on Jan. 1, 2007, and expire on Oct. 17, 2008.

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Similar regulations have already been issued for foreign journalists reporting on the 2008 Olympics.

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Under the new regulations, Taiwan journalists who hold valid Olympic accreditation cards and passes to the mainland are entitled to multiple entries.

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To interview organizations or individuals in China, Taiwan journalists need only to obtain their prior consent, the regulations said.

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They may, through relevant service organizations, hire mainland citizens to assist them in their reporting activities, according to the regulations.

 

(Xinhua News Agency?December 27, 2006)