Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Reporting Activities of Permanent Offices of Foreign Media Organizations and Foreign Journalists (Chinese and English Text)

Issuer: 
State Council

中文版


The following translation was retrieved from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China's Web site on February 17, 2011. The FCCC said the translation had been provided "courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is for reference only." The Chinese text was retrieved from the Xinhua Web site on October 27, 2008.
 

October 17, 2008

Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Reporting Activities of Permanent Offices of Foreign Media Organizations and Foreign Journalists

Article 1. The present regulations are formulated for the purpose of facilitating reporting activities of permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists in the People’s Republic of China carried out in accordance with the laws of China and promoting international exchanges and the dissemination of information.

Article 2. Permanent offices of foreign media organizations mentioned in the regulations refer to branch offices established in China by foreign media organizations for news coverage and reporting.
Foreign journalists mentioned in the regulations include resident foreign journalists and foreign reporters for short-term news coverage. Resident foreign journalists refer to career journalists dispatched by foreign media organizations to be stationed in China for than six months for news coverage and reporting. Foreign reporters for short-term news coverage refer to career journalists who come to China and stay for no more than six months for news coverage and reporting.

Article 3. China adopts a basic state policy of opening up to the outside world, protects the lawful rights and interests of permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists in accordance with law, and facilitates their news coverage and reporting activities that are carried out according to law.

Article 4. Permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists shall abide by the laws, regulations and rules of China, observe the journalism ethics, conduct reporting activities objectively and impartially, and shall not engage in activities which are incompatible with the nature of the organizations or the capacity of the journalists.

Article 5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Foreign Ministry) is the competent authority in charge of affairs concerning permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists in China. The State Council Information Office and other government departments are in charge of relative affairs concerning permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists within their respective responsibilities.

Foreign Affairs Offices of local people’s governments, commissioned by the Foreign Ministry, deal with affairs concerning permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists within their respective administrative areas. Information offices of local people’s governments and other departments are in charge of relative affairs within their respective administrative areas concerning permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists within their respective responsibilities.

Article 6. Foreign media organizations wishing to establish permanent offices or send resident journalists to China need to seek approval of the Foreign Ministry.

Article 7. Foreign media organizations wishing to establish permanent offices in China shall submit the following documents to the Foreign Ministry directly or through a Chinese diplomatic mission abroad:

1. Written application signed by the head of the headquarter;
2. Introduction of the media organization concerned;
3. Introduction of the head of the permanent office to be established, journalists and other staff members to be dispatched to China;
4. A copy of the registration certificate of the said media organization issued by its home country.

Article 8. Upon approval of the application to establish permanent office in China, head of the permanent office to be set up shall, within 7 working days of his/her arrival in China, register with the Foreign Ministry upon presentation of his/her passport to obtain the Certificate for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organization in China; head of a permanent office of a foreign media organization to reside in a place other than Beijing shall, within 7 working days of his/her arrival in China, register with relevant foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry upon presentation of his/her passport to obtain the Certificate for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organization.

Article 9. Foreign media organizations wishing to send resident journalists to China shall submit the following documents to the Foreign Ministry directly or through a Chinese diplomatic mission abroad:

1. Written application signed by the head of the headquarter;
2. Introduction of the journalist to be sent;
3. A copy of the career journalist certificate of the said journalist in his/her home country.

In case of one resident journalist to be sent by two or more foreign media organizations, these agencies shall submit separate applications according to the provisions of the preceding paragraph and note in their respective applications other foreign media organizations represented concurrently by the said journalist.

Article 10. Upon approval of the application, foreign journalists to be sent to China shall, within 7 working days of their arrival in China, register with the Foreign Ministry upon presentation of the passport to obtain the Press Card (R); foreign journalists to reside in places other than Beijing shall, within 7 working days of their arrival in China, register with relevant foreign affairs offices of local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry upon presentation of the passport to obtain the Press Card (R).
Upon obtaining the Press Card (R), foreign journalists shall register with the public security authorities of their residence place to obtain a residence permit.

Article 11. The permanent office of a foreign media organization shall submit a written application to the Foreign Ministry for change of its name, place of residence and other relevant matters. Upon approval, the said foreign media organization can go through the necessary procedures for the change accordingly.
The permanent office of a foreign media organization shall notify the Foreign Ministry in written form of replacement of its head, change of office address and other relevant matters within 7 working days. Foreign media organizations based in a place other than Beijing shall, within 7 days of the replacement, notify the relevant foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry in written form of replacement of its head, change of office address and other relevant matters.

Article 12. Resident foreign journalists shall submit an application to the Foreign Ministry or relevant foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry for renewal of their Press Card (R) before it expires. Any delay in application will be automatically deemed as waivering his/her status as resident foreign journalist and the Press Card (R) will be cancelled accordingly.

Article 13. The permanent office of a foreign media organization deciding to terminate its operation in China shall notify the Foreign Ministry 30 days prior to the termination, and have its Certificate for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organization in China and the Press Card (R) of its resident journalists cancelled at the Foreign Ministry or relevant foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry within 7 working days upon the termination of its business.

The permanent office of a foreign media organization will be deemed to automatically terminate its reporting activities in case no resident journalists are sent for more than 10 months consecutively, and the Certificate for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organization in China will be cancelled accordingly.

The Press Card (R) will be cancelled should a resident foreign journalist reside in China for less than 6 months per year on an accumulative basis. The permanent office of a foreign media organization shall, before the departure of its resident journalists, have their Press Card (R) cancelled at the Foreign Ministry or the relevant foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry.

Article 14. The cancellation of the Certificate for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organization or the Press Card (R) shall be notified to the public.
The Journalist Visa of the journalist whose Press Card (R) is cancelled will expire automatically 10 days after the cancellation.
The journalist whose Press Card (R) is cancelled shall, within 10 days of cancellation, bring the relevant certificate to local public security authorities to apply for change or visa of resident permit.

Article 15. Resident foreign journalists or foreign reporters coming to China for short-term news coverage shall file applications for journalist visa with a Chinese diplomatic mission abroad or visa agencies authorized by the Foreign Ministry.

Article 16. For foreign journalists wishing to come to China to cover a visit by the head of state, head of government, head of the legislative body, members of the royal family or senior government officials of their home country, the Foreign Ministry or relevant department of the country concerned shall apply on their behalf to Chinese diplomatic missions abroad or visa agencies authorized by the Foreign Ministry for journalist visas.

Article 17. Foreign journalists wishing to interview organizations or individuals in China need to obtain their prior consent.
Foreign journalists shall carry and present their Press Card (R) or Journalist Visas for Short Visit during reporting activities.

Article 18. Permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists may, through organizations providing services to foreign nationals, hire Chinese citizens to do auxiliary work. Organizations providing services to foreign nationals are designated by the Foreign Ministry or foreign affairs offices of the local people’s governments commissioned by the Foreign Ministry.

Article 19. For reporting needs, foreign journalists may, on a temporary basis, bring in, install and use radio communication equipment after completing application procedures for approval in accordance with law.

Article 20. In case foreign nationals shall engage in news reporting activities in China without holding valid Press Card (R) or Journalist Visas for Short Visit, the public security authorities may order them to stop reporting activities and deal with related matters according to law.

Article 21. In case of violation of the present regulations by permanent offices of foreign media organizations or foreign journalists in China, the Foreign Ministry may issue them warning, suspend or stop their reporting activities, and in serious cases, revoke their Certificates for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organizations, Press Card (R) or Journalist Visas.

Article 22. The permanent offices of foreign media organizations or foreign journalists that violate other laws, regulations and rules of China shall be dealt with according to law. In serious cases, the Foreign Ministry shall revoke their Certificates for Permanent Office of Foreign Media Organizations, Press Card (R) or Journalist Visas.

Article 23. These regulations shall come into force as of 17 October 2008. The Regulations Concerning Foreign Journalists and Permanent Offices of Foreign News Agencies promulgated by the State Council on 19 January 1990 shall expire as of the same date.


中华人民共和国外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者采访条例

中华人民共和国国务院令
第537号

  《中华人民共和国外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者采访条例》已经2008年10月17日国务院第31次常务会议通过,现予公布,自2008年10月17日起施行。

             总理  温家宝

          二○○八年十月十七日

中华人民共和国外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者采访条例

第一条 为了便于外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者在中华人民共和国境内依法采访报道,促进国际交往和信息传播,制定本条例。

第二条 本条例所称外国常驻新闻机构,是指外国新闻机构在中国境内设立、从事新闻采访报道业务的分支机构。

本条例所称外国记者包括外国常驻记者和外国短期采访记者。外国常驻记者是指由外国新闻机构派遣,在中国境内常驻6个月以上、从事新闻采访报道业务的职业记者;外国短期采访记者是指在中国境内停留期不超过6个月、从事新闻采访报道业务的职业记者。

第三条 中国实行对外开放的基本国策,依法保障外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者的合法权益,并为其依法从事新闻采访报道业务提供便利。

第四条 外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者应当遵守中国法律、法规和规章,遵守新闻职业道德,客观、公正地进行采访报道,不得进行与其机构性质或者记者身份不符的活动。

第五条 中华人民共和国外交部(以下简称外交部)主管外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者事务。国务院新闻办公室和其他部门在各自职责范围内负责外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者有关事务。

地方人民政府外事部门受外交部委托,办理本行政区域内外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者事务。地方人民政府新闻办公室和其他部门在各自职责范围内负责本行政区域内外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者有关事务。

第六条 外国新闻机构在中国境内设立常驻新闻机构、向中国派遣常驻记者,应当经外交部批准。

第七条 外国新闻机构申请在中国境内设立常驻新闻机构,应当直接或者通过中国驻外使领馆向外交部提交以下材料:

(一)由该新闻机构总部主要负责人签署的书面申请;

(二)该新闻机构情况介绍;

(三)拟设立机构的负责人、拟派遣的常驻记者以及工作人员情况介绍;

(四)该新闻机构在所在国设立的证明文件副本。

第八条 在中国境内设立常驻新闻机构的申请经批准后,该常驻新闻机构负责人应当自抵达中国之日起7个工作日内,持本人护照到外交部办理外国常驻新闻机 构证;其中,驻北京市以外地区的常驻新闻机构,其负责人应当自抵达中国之日起7个工作日内,持本人护照到外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门办理外国常驻新 闻机构证。

第九条 外国新闻机构申请向中国派遣常驻记者,应当直接或者通过中国驻外使领馆向外交部提交以下材料:

(一)由该新闻机构总部负责人签署的书面申请;

(二)拟派遣记者情况介绍;

(三)拟派遣记者在所在国从事职业活动的证明文件副本。

两个以上外国新闻机构派遣同一名常驻记者的,应当依照前款规定分别办理申请手续,并在各自的书面申请中注明该记者所兼职的外国新闻机构。

第十条 向中国派遣常驻记者的申请经批准后,被派遣的外国记者应当自抵达中国之日起7个工作日内,持本人护照到外交部办理外国常驻记者证;其中,驻北 京市以外地区的常驻记者,应当自抵达中国之日起7个工作日内,持本人护照到外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门办理外国常驻记者证。

外国记者办理外国常驻记者证后,应当到居住地公安机关办理居留证。

第十一条 外国常驻新闻机构变更机构名称、常驻地区等事项,应当向外交部提交书面申请,经批准后办理变更手续。

外国常驻新闻机构变更负责人、办公地址等事项,应当在变更后7个工作日内书面告知外交部;其中,驻北京市以外地区的常驻新闻机构变更负责人、办公地址等事项,应当在变更后7个工作日内书面告知外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门。

第十二条 外国常驻记者证有效期届满需要延期的,外国常驻记者应当提前向外交部或者外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门提出申请,办理延期手续;逾期不办理的,视为自动放弃外国常驻记者资格,其外国常驻记者证将被注销。

第十三条 外国常驻新闻机构拟终止业务的,应当在终止业务30日前告知外交部,并自终止业务之日起7个工作日内到外交部或者外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门办理外国常驻新闻机构证及其常驻记者的外国常驻记者证注销手续。

外国常驻新闻机构连续10个月以上无常驻记者,视为该机构已经自动终止业务,其外国常驻新闻机构证将被注销。

外国常驻记者在中国境内居留时间每年累计少于6个月的,其外国常驻记者证将被注销。

外国常驻新闻机构应当在其常驻记者离任前到外交部或者外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门办理该记者外国常驻记者证注销手续。

第十四条 外国常驻新闻机构证、外国常驻记者证被注销后,应当向社会公布。

外国常驻记者证被注销的记者,其记者签证自注销之日起10日后自动失效。

外国常驻记者证被注销的记者,应当自外国常驻记者证被注销之日起10日内持相关证明,到居住地公安机关申请办理签证或者居留证变更登记。

第十五条 外国记者常驻或者短期采访,应当向中国驻外使领馆或者外交部授权的签证机构申请办理记者签证。

第十六条 外国记者随国家元首、政府首脑、议长、王室成员或者高级政府官员来中国访问,应当由该国外交部或者相关部门向中国驻外使领馆或者外交部授权的签证机构统一申请办理记者签证。

第十七条 外国记者在中国境内采访,需征得被采访单位和个人的同意。

外国记者采访时应当携带并出示外国常驻记者证或者短期采访记者签证。

第十八条 外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者可以通过外事服务单位聘用中国公民从事辅助工作。外事服务单位由外交部或者外交部委托的地方人民政府外事部门指定。

第十九条 外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者因采访报道需要,在依法履行报批手续后,可以临时进口、设置和使用无线电通信设备。

第二十条 外国人未取得或者未持有有效的外国常驻记者证或者短期采访记者签证,在中国境内从事新闻采访报道活动的,由公安机关责令其停止新闻采访报道活动,并依照有关法律予以处理。

第二十一条 外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者违反本条例规定的,由外交部予以警告,责令暂停或者终止其业务活动;情节严重的,吊销其外国常驻新闻机构证、外国常驻记者证或者记者签证。

第二十二条 外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者违反中国其他法律、法规和规章规定的,依法处理;情节严重的,由外交部吊销其外国常驻新闻机构证、外国常驻记者证或者记者签证。

第二十三条 本条例自2008年10月17日起施行。1990年1月19日国务院公布的《外国记者和外国常驻新闻机构管理条例》同时废止。