Special report:   2008 Olympic Games    

    BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday released a legal guide for foreigners about a wide range of issues such as entry and exit information, tourism and accommodation in the country.

    The guide, posted on the Beijing Olympic organizing committee's official website, www.beijing2008.cn, includes 57 question-and-answer items for foreign athletes, officials, reporters and tourists.

    The guide says those who are believed to be likely to carry out terrorist, violent or subversive activities are not allowed to enter China.

    Smugglers, drug traffickers, prostitutes and those with "mental diseases" or certain contagious diseases such as venereal diseases, or those who are believed to be likely to carry out activities harming China's state security and interests, are banned from entering the country.

    "Foreign audiences who have bought Olympic tickets will not automatically get a visa to enter China," says the guide. "They still need to go to Chinese embassies and consulates and apply for visas according to the related rules."

    China also bans the display of insulting slogans and banners in sports venues and of those regarding religion, politics and race at Olympic venues, it says.

    Foreigners who stay with Chinese residents in urban areas must register at local police stations within 24 hours of arrival. In rural areas, the limit is 72 hours.

    Foreigners can also rent houses during the Games period, but they should register at police stations.

    "To maintain the public hygiene and civilized image of cities, sleeping outdoors is banned in such public venues as airports, bus stations, piers, sidewalks and urban greenbelts," it says.