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Germany Calls For End of Restrictions on Foreign Media in China

DPA news agency (ls)August 1, 2008

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier phoned his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Friday, Aug. 1, to call for restrictions on foreign journalists covering the Beijing Olympics to be lifted.

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Journliasts from around the world are in Beijing to cover the Games
Foreign journalists are up against some tight restrictions in ChinaImage: DW

In particular, Steinmeier raised the issue of restrictions on internet access for journalists, asking Yang for clarification.

The German foreign minister urged the Chinese government to reconsider the measures, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Berlin.

Yang had responded that China intended to hold the games in the spirit of the Olympic movement, the statement said.

The Chinese foreign minister also said that he would look into the problems at the "German House" in Beijing, which has not been receiving current editions of the major German newspapers.

The two foreign ministers also discussed their joint efforts with regard to Iran's nuclear program.

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