In a letter to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao asking for the immediate release of a journalist who has spent 12 years in prison, the Paris-based WAN and WEF referred to China’s promise to "follow international standards" in its successful bid to host the Games.

"In accordance with this pledge and numerous international conventions, declarations and agreements - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - we call upon the Chinese authorities to free all jailed journalists ahead of the Olympics Games," the letter said.

At least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons. Among them is Fan Yingshang, who was sentenced on 31 January 1996 to 13 years in prison for publishing and distributing illegal “reactionary” publications. The charges related to the publication of more than 60,000 copies of the magazine Remen Huati (Popular Topics).

The letter to Mr Wen called for the release of Mr Fan, and all other imprisoned journalists, ahead of the 12th anniversary of his sentencing this month.

The letter said:

"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications in 102 countries, to express our serious concern at the continued detention of journalist Fan Yingshang ahead of the twelfth anniversary of his sentencing.

"According to reports, on 31 January 1996 the Chang’an District Court in Shijiazhuang City sentenced Mr Fan to 13 years in prison, with three years’ subsequent deprivation of political rights, for publishing and distributing illegal “reactionary” publications. The charges related to the publication of more than 60,000 copies of the magazine Remen Huati (Popular Topics) by Mr Fan and his colleague Yang Jianguo in 1994. The men had allegedly bought fake printing authorisations. Mr Fan was indicted on charges of profiteering on 16 October 1995, and his appeal was rejected six months later. Mr Yang escaped arrest.

"We respectfully remind you that the Organising Committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games issued the "Beijing Olympic Action Plan" in 2002, which laid out guiding principles and a series of promises as part of Beijing’s preparation to be the host city. Specifically the Plan promised:

"’In the preparation for the Games, we will be open in every aspect to the rest of the country and the whole world. We will draw on the successful experience of others and follow the international standards and criteria.’

"In accordance with this pledge and numerous international conventions, declarations and agreements - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - we call upon the Chinese authorities to free all jailed journalists ahead of the Olympics Games. According to reports, at least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons.

We respectfully call on you to take all necessary steps to ensure that Mr Fan and all other journalists detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression are immediately released from prison and that charges against them are dropped. "

For more on WAN’s campaign to free jailed Chinese journalists, click here.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr.