Beijing: China's ruling Communist Party, known to operate behind closed doors and under a veil of secrecy, has for the first time allowed the foreign media access to some of the meetings at the upcoming 16th party Congress, which will decide the country's new leadership.

According to guidelines issued by the media centre of the 16th party Congress, domestic and foreign media representatives would be briefed by the spokesman of the party on November 7, one day prior to the convening of the event.

The journalists are also invited to attend a reception on November 6, which is expected to be attended by senior officials of the party dealing with the media.

While the opening and closing of the party Congress was open to the accredited media, the party had also allowed the journalists to witness some of the sessions, an official at the media centre said.

In the past, the foreign media had to rely solely on the official Xinhua news agency, the party's mouthpiece, the 'People's Daily' and the state-run China Central Television for coverage of the party Congress, which is held once in five years.

PTI