China appears to have unblocked banned websites after complaints from journalists covering the Olympics.

The move follows talks between Chinese organisers and officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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Separately on Friday, Chinese President Hu Jintao said efforts to politicise the Olympic Games would not work.

"It is only inevitable that people from different countries and regions may not see eye to eye with one another on some different issues," he said.

Dialogue would help narrow differences and expand common ground, said the president.

'Reporters welcome'

The Internet dispute began when journalists starting arriving in Beijing to cover the Games, which begin on 8 August.

Many believed the IOC and the Beijing organising committee (Bocog) had promised them unfettered internet access.

But they found some sites - including news websites and those of human rights groups - were blocked.

The IOC promised to take up the matter with Bocog and said it expected the Chinese organisers to "keep their promise".

"The IOC has always encouraged the Beijing 2008 organisers to provide media with the fullest access possible to report on the Olympic Games, including access to the Internet," an IOC statement said.

A meeting between officials from the IOC and Bocog to discuss the issue took place on Thursday.

On Friday, a number of websites that were unobtainable earlier in the week appeared to be unblocked, including Amnesty International's website.

A spokesperson for the IOC told the BBC that the issue had now been resolved.

"The media are now able to access sites to do their job," the official said.

The BBC's Chinese-language website appeared to be unblocked on Thursday. Other Chinese-language websites, such as Voice of America and Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, also now appear accessible.

But some restrictions remain. The website of the Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China, is still blocked.

In a rare interview with foreign reporters on Friday, Chinese President Hu Jintao said his country welcomed foreign reporters to cover the Games.

But he warned them to abide by China's laws and regulations.

"We also hope you will provide objective and impartial coverage of what you see here so that your report can enhance the communication and understanding between Chinese people and people from other parts of the world," the Chinese leader said.

(BBC)

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