(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-20 18:55

BEIJING -- A diplomatic news story released through Xinhua's Chinese service earlier this month caught the eye of many China watchers as the source, the Ministry of National Defence information office, was appearing in public for the first time.

The advent of the ministry's information office provided an indication that the once "secrecy-shrouded" Chinese military could be opening wider to the outside world in future. It also marked a new chapter in the country's news briefing system.

At present, nearly all departments of the Communist Party of China (CPC), State Council ministries and provincial-level governments have established a spokesperson system. Last year, the CPC's "mysterious" discipline watchdog, the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection, opened for the first time to foreign and domestic journalists.

The improvement should be attributed to the accelerated efforts the government has made since the 2003 SARS outbreak toward greater information flow. Because of these efforts, more changes can be expected.

Starting on May 1, a regulation on government information openness will come into effect. This will require governments at various levels to release information that "affects the immediate interests of individuals and groups" or that "should be known by the masses" within 20 working days.

It requires governments to release to the public details of how individual departments plan to deal with emergencies, government spending, specific fees for public services and results of investigations into environmental protection, public health and food and drugs safety, among others.

"In case the government fails to carry out its obligations defined by this regulation, officials responsible should be punished if the violations are serious," it said.

As officials are told to release governmental information in a timely manner, foreign journalists working in China can now enjoy greater long-term journalistic conveniences in the country.

The regulations on reporting activities in China by foreign journalists during the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games and the preparatory period, became effective in 2007. It said foreign journalists would not necessarily have to be accompanied or assisted by a Chinese official when they reported in the country. They also no longer needed to apply to provincial foreign affairs offices for permission to report in all the country's provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

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