The attendees of the meeting listen attentively.[BOCOG]

Liu Qi pointed out that the Chinese government authorities are making efforts to amend relevant laws, formulate special policies and simplify administrative approval procedures to guarantee good working conditions for foreign journalists during Games-time. These measures include:

Equipment that foreign media organizations bring into China for broadcasting and covering the sports competitions will be allowed to enter as temporary imports with tax exemption;

Temporary entry permission will be given to motor vehicles from overseas for covering the Games. Foreign journalists may apply for temporary driving permits;

Foreign accredited media may make applications through BOCOG for filming cultural relics and BOCOG will acquire permission for them from the State Administration of Cultural Relics in accordance with the required procedures;

Foreign journalists and media organizations may apply to the Press Commission of the Chinese Olympic Committee for interviews with Chinese athletes and the Commission will provide convenience for the interviews;

Accredited foreign media organizations that wish to conduct aerial filming of the Olympic competitions may send applications and detailed plans to BOCOG, who will submit the requests to relevant government authorities for approval in accordance with the required procedures;

During the Beijing Olympic Games, foreign journalists may rent housing for accommodation or offices through legal real-estate agencies.

"While rendering services for accredited media, we will set up a non-accredited media center to provide quality services for some 10,000 non-accredited journalists," the president concluded.

Kevan, Gosper, chairman of International Olympic Committee Press Commission extended his appreciation to BOCOG for its efforts to provide outstanding services to the world media.

Chaired by BOCOG executive vice president Jiang Xiaoyu, the opening session was attended by 320 media representatives, including those from world-class news agencies such as AFP, AP and Reuters.

Also attended were Zhang Haitao, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Fim, and Television, Cai Fuchao, member of the standing committee of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee and director general of the commitee's publicity department, Liu Jingmin, vice mayor of Beijing and BOCOG executive vice president, and Tang Xiaoquan, director of China Disabled Persons' Federation and BOCOG executive vice president.

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