This year, China has been the topic of more articles and news reports by members of foreign journalists than ever before, thanks to the country's new foreign media policy, which took effect January 1.

Liu Jianchao, director-general of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, says that this is a positive development, especially since the reports offer a wider view of the Chinese society in general.

That such large numbers of foreign journalists have made profit of the freer policy has also been welcomed by the ministry, Liu added.

The Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period guarantee foreign journalists wider freedom to conduct their work in China.

Liu says that, in practice, this means that foreign journalists can work freely, provided that they get the permission of their interviewees.

Implementation of the new media regulations has not been as easy task in a country as big as China, Liu says, adding that it would be unrealistic to expect that everything would go without any setbacks.

Since the new regulation took effect, the government has made great efforts to facilitate the work of foreign journalists by speeding up the handling of applications and simplifying procedures. Spokesperson systems have been set up to help provide information on the preparations for the Beijing Olympics. The Information Department of the Foreign Ministry even has a 24-hour hotline to answer the questions of foreign journalists.

The complaints previously received from foreign journalists have now been replaced by a flood of positive feedback on the new policy, Liu says.

"The regulations have helped create a better environment for foreign journalists to cover their stories in China in a more comprehensive, objective and balanced way and enable their audiences and readers to understand what is happening in China," China Daily quotes Liu as saying.

Following the implementation of the loosed regulations, the number of resident foreign correspondents in China has increased sharply. Currently, there are 705 journalists from 351 media organizations based in 53 countries residing in China, compared to 606, 315 and 49 seven months ago, Liu reveals.

In the same period, over 2,000 foreign journalists came to China on reporting tours.

Liu adds that it is essential that foreign journalists win the trust of the Chinese people. This will ensure that they will have an open environment in the future also. Constructive suggestions are also welcome, but the communication should work both ways, Liu says. "We are listening to them, therefore, at the same time, I hope they also listen to us so that China can be reported in a more balanced and objective way," he told China Daily.