1st LD: China to set up Shenzhou-7 media center to overseas journalists

1st LD: China to set up Shenzhou-7 media center to overseasjournalists

BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Journalists from abroad who hope tocover the launch of China's third manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-7, arewelcome to a new purposed-built media center in Beijing which willgo into operation on Thursday.

It is the first time China opens its usually mysterious spacemission to foreign media. Some overseas news organizations have beeninvited to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern GansuProvince to cover the mission.

The media center is open to all foreign journalists stationed inChina and those working in China temporarily. The former need toshow the media pass issued by the Foreign Ministry and the lattershould have the J-2 visa issued by Chinese embassies in foreigncountries.

Journalists from Hong Kong and Macao special administrativeregions, who are stationed in the mainland, are required to show themedia pass issued by relevant mainland authorities. And those fromTaiwan are also required to show the media pass issued by themainland authorities.

The center at the Media Center hotel (No.11B, Fuxing Road,Beijing, 100038) provides free TV and radio signals, free broadbandInternet access and free reference materials

Experts on space technology will be available to comment on theoperation of the spacecraft, sources with the media center said.

The center has set up reception hotlines: 86-10-68521600 forforeign journalists and 86-10-68521800 for journalists from HongKong, Macao and Taiwan.

The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft is scheduled for launch sometimebetween Sept. 25 and 30 after the vessel, its Long-March II-Fcarrier rocket and the escape tower were vertically transferred tothe launch pad on Saturday.

A panel of six Chinese taikonauts (astronauts), including threeselected crew and three substitutes, have arrived at JiuquanSatellite Launch Center in Gansu. One of the taikonauts will conducta spacewalk during the mission.

To fulfil its promise to host an open and high-standard OlympicGames, the Chinese government adopted a series of new regulations atthe end of 2006 to facilitate foreign media coverage of China.

The country's press authorities have said that China will remainopen to foreign media after the Olympic Games.