Foreigners holding an overseas driving license will be able to get a temporary driving permit from January 1 after undergoing training in China's traffic law and regulations.

But foreign journalists driving in China during the 2008 Olympics will be treated as "special cases," the Ministry of Public Security said in Beijing yesterday. It said China will adopt the standard International Olympic Committee practice of making things convenient for them.

But visitors to China will be permitted to drive only autos brought from outside China or rental cars.

Foreign automobiles entering China temporarily will require liability insurance and automobile safety and technical inspection certificates.

The new regulation also requires foreign automobiles to drive in designated areas and on designated routes and leave China by a certain date.

News Source: Chinadaily