Beijing will accept registration of non-accredited journalists covering the Olympic Games from Friday.

The media center, called the 2008 Beijing International Media Center (BIMC), is in the Ge Hua New Century Hotel Beijing. It is located between the north Second and Third Ring Roads, 2 km from the main Olympic stadium.

Applications will close on May 20. The foreign journalists can apply through the center's website www.2008bimc.cn or Chinese embassies in their own countries.

More details are also available through the hotline, 010-88602008.

"The BIMC will assist journalists coming from all over the world to cover the 2008 Olympic Games, who do not hold IOC accreditation certificates," Sun Ying, deputy director, said.

"There will be no limit on the number people allowed to register for each media firm."

The media center, which will open on July 8, will arrange press conferences, and provide information about the Games, and news about events in Beijing.

It will also organize exhibitions, performances, and lectures related to the Games.