China should also allow foreign media to report in accordance with the regulations issued by the Chinese authorities in January 2007.

China has seriously failed to live up to the press freedom commitments it made when it sought the 2008 Games. The Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games issued a "Beijing Olympic Action Plan" in 2002, laying out a series of promises as part of Beijing’s preparation to be the host city. The pledge included: "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 international standards and criteria".

China has not honoured its commitments; in fact, the Chinese government has increased its repression of free expression and press freedom, and continues to imprison and harass those who dare speak openly as the opening of the Games fast approaches. At least 30 journalists and more than 50 cyber reporters are imprisoned in China. The vast majority of them have faced long periods of detention before even being charged. Most trials result in lengthy prison sentences, often under harsh conditions.

The Chinese authorities introduced new regulations in January 2007 to allow greater freedom of movement and access for foreign journalists who wished to travel in the country. These regulations have never been fully respected.

More than 50 incidents of interference in the work of international media trying to report the Tibetan unrest and its aftermath have been reported. Chinese staff working for international media have also been subject to harassment and in some cases ordered to inform the authorities of the activities of foreign correspondents.

WAN calls on Chinese authorities to release all imprisoned journalists and uphold their promised reforms in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Board of WAN also calls on the Chinese authorities to implement the reporting regulations for foreign media introduced ahead of the Olympic Games.