Brussels, 02/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Inaugurating a photographic exhibition of the press agency Reuters at the premises of the European Commission in Brussels last Saturday, President José Manuel Barroso expressed concern at the new restrictions imposed by China on foreign media. He explained that the Commission had already spoken of its concern regarding the impact that such measures could have in terms of trade, foreign activity in China and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and gave his assurance that Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson had contacted the Chinese authorities to complain about these recent provisions. Rules set in place by Beijing during September ban foreign press agencies from selling information directly to customers in China. “To be quite frank, such measures could have a very serious impact on foreign press agencies in China”, Mr Barroso said, going on to add: “We shall continue to do everything we can to defend market opening and freedom of expression”. Beijing has attempted to play down the impact of these new rules announced by the official press agency, New China, designated as the compulsory intermediary for foreign agencies if they wish to deal with customers in China. The new rules stipulate that foreign media must request authorisation from New China before putting out releases, photos or graphs, and the Chinese official agency reserves the right to censure certain prohibited content.