It looked like a regular Foreign Ministry news briefing. But the atmosphere was different. The sharp questions were replaced by good wishes for the New Year. It also took place at a different venue: The newly opened National Grand Theater in the heart of Beijing.

The Foreign Ministry hosted the New Year reception for foreign journalists in China on Friday, promising to offer more convenience in this Olympic year.

Spokesman Liu Jianchao pointed out that the government last year issued a new rule allowing foreign journalists to conduct interviews in other parts of the country without seeking permission from provincial foreign affairs offices.

"Now foreign journalists have better access to information and to interviewees," Liu told the more than 300 foreign journalists at the reception.

"I think the new regulation is a milestone in our foreign media service."

According to the ministry, there are 700 foreign resident journalists in China, representing 374 news agencies from 54 countries.

Kenji Minemura, the Asahi Shimbun's Beijing correspondent, said: "Not long ago I went to Guizhou province and it was really good that even in a remote village I could talk with people freely."

"The environment is, in general, freer and more open."

Before the reception started, theater officials showed the journalists around the opera houses and answered their questions about the venue.

Richard Stone, editor of the Asia-Pacific office of Science magazine, said he was impressed by the architecture.

"I think this is an ideal venue for this reception because it is more connected with a modern China."

Newly appointed Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo attended the reception.

Wu used to be the director-general of the ministry's general office and was appointed earlier this month as the assistant minister in charge of European region, information and consular affairs.

(China Daily 01/26/2008 page1)