Hong Kong and Macao journalists can hire mainland citizens to assist them in reporting on the mainland in the run-up to and during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, according to new regulations issued here Saturday.

They may, through relevant service organizations, hire mainland citizens to assist them in their reporting activities, according to the regulations.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council issued a set of regulations Saturday offering journalists from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR more convenience for reporting.

The regulations will come into force on Jan. 1, 2007, and expire on Oct. 17, 2008.

Similar regulations have already been issued for foreign journalists reporting on the 2008 Olympics on Dec. 1 and for Taiwan journalists on Dec. 27.

Source: Xinhua