Hello Vicky,

Last Saturday, China announced that it will extend the freedoms it gave to foreign journalists as part of the Beijing Olympics.

These freedoms, which were due to expire on 17 October, include journalists having easier access to most parts of China (still not Tibet).

Congratulations and thank you for helping to pave the way to positive human rights change in China.

And that’s not all. The laws allow foreign media to interview Chinese people without needing government approval, and it should be easier for journalists to obtain visas.

Greater freedoms mean foreign media can report fully and accurately on what’s actually happening inside China.

But we still need your help.

Local police and authorities across China must uphold these rules, so that foreign journalists can have the freedoms they are legally entitled to. We are also campaigning for these extended freedoms to be granted to the Chinese press.

Meanwhile, many Chinese citizens continue to pay a heavy price for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Freelance writer Yang Tongyan is currently serving 12 years in prison for ‘subversion’, for his writings in support of political and democratic change in China.

Sign our petition today urging Chinese authorities to release Yang Tongyan.

Thank you again, together we’re making an impact.

Sophie Peer
Campaign Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia