The country's openness to the world reflects its stronger self-confidence, says an article in Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:

On October 17, Premier Wen Jiabao signed the No 537 decree of the State Council, releasing the new regulations on foreign journalists and media institutions, which replaced the old rules enacted for the Olympics.

Under the new regulations, some principal rules enacted during the Olympics have become permanent. For example, foreign journalists can conduct interviews in China without being accompanied by representatives of Chinese authorities and only need the consent of the individuals and organizations to be interviewed. Also, foreign journalists may, on a temporary basis, bring in, install and use radio communication equipment after completing the required application and approval procedures.

The new rules have cleared the doubts of foreign media, signaling that China continues its march to opening itself to the world.

The new rules will greatly facilitate interviews by foreign journalists in China, helping them have a better understanding of China and the history of its development, current status and challenges.

In fact, the easing of restrictions and improvement of governance can also be seen from the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information, effective on May 1, 2008. The regulations further guarantee domestic journalists' right to interview.

What is more important is whether the new regulations can be effectively implemented at different levels of the government. Some local governments, for example, covered up disasters, causing troubles for journalists to track down facts.

(China Daily 10/23/2008 page9)