China defends its foreign press policy

China on Monday defended its foreign press policy, stressing that foreign journalists should abide by Chinese law and regulations when reporting in China.

"Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government has provided more and more to foreign journalists, including providing more information and facilitating their working and living environment. They enjoy plenty freedom when reporting here," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

Hong made the remarks in response to a newly released report by Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) in which it said China "continues to erect hurdles to foreign journalists."

"The FCCC believes that China is rapidly eroding the progress it made in opening up to the world prior to the 2008 Olympics," said the report, issued on Friday.

"Any unbiased and fair person cannot agree with the so-called report," said Hong. "China will continue its opening up policy and will also insist this policy when providing services to foreign press."

However, Hong stressed that foreign journalists must abide by Chinese rules. "No journalist can have double standards in this field, "he said.