BEIJING: Inspectors for the International Olympic Committee have told Beijing organizers that the Internet must be open for the duration of the 2008 Olympics.

The Internet is routinely censored in China, but Beijing is committed by its "host city contract" to provide the estimated 30,000 media expected for the Olympics the freedom to report as they have at previous Games.

"Even this morning, we discussed and insisted again," said Kevan Gosper, IOC coordination commission vice chairman, "that the Internet is open at all times during Games time."

Speaking Tuesday on the sidelines of the inspection of preparations for the Games, which begin in August, Gosper added, "There was some criticism that the Internet closed down during events relating to Tibet in previous weeks, but this is not Games time.

"Our concern is that the press is able to operate as it has at previous Games during Games time."

Gosper, an Australian who is also chairman of the IOC press commission, said blocking the Internet during the Games "would reflect very poorly" on the host country, but he added that he felt confident the Chinese would fulfill the obligations of their agreement.

"They've given us a huge commitment and changed their legislation extensively to enable the international press to report on the Games," he said.

"On all issues where that's been concerned, they've lived up to the agreement, so we don't see any reason why they'd step back from that now," he added.

New laws loosening the restrictions on foreign media in China went into effect on Jan. 1, 2007, but were due to expire in October.

The coordination commission is holding its 10th and final series of meetings with the Beijing organizers this week.

When asked about Gosper's comments, Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, said China's "management" of the Internet followed the "general practice of the international community."

She acknowledged that China banned some Internet content, and that other countries did the same. She declined to say if the Internet would be unrestricted for journalists during the Olympics.

Gosper spoke after Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the inspection committee, addressed his Chinese hosts. Without being specific, Verbruggen noted that the Games, which will take place Aug. 8-24, had become embroiled in controversy.

The unrest in Tibet - and China's response - has heightened calls for a boycott or a partial boycott of the Games. This comes in the wake of worries about Beijing's polluted air and calls for China to increase pressure on Sudan to end fighting in Darfur.

The Olympic torch relay, which left Beijing on Tuesday for Kazakhstan and a global tour, is sure to draw protests and blemish an event that Chinese organizers hope will generate positive images of the country.

"Clearly, in recent times more than ever, the Beijing Games are being drawn into issues that do not necessarily have a link with the operation of the Games," Verbruggen said. "We're all aware the international community is discussing these topics," he said, "but it is important to remember that our main focus during these meetings is the successful delivery of the Games' operations."

The IOC has refused to speak out against Chinese actions in Tibet, saying it is a sporting body, not a political one. It has maintained that the Beijing Games "are a force for good" in opening up the country.

Liu Qi, president of the organizing committee, told Verbruggen that the preparations were in the "final stage."

The People's Daily, the official Communist Party newspaper, warned in an editorial Tuesday that troubles lay ahead in the four months before the Games.

"With the opening of the Games approaching, the burden on our shoulders is heavier and the task tougher," the editorial said. "We must keep a clear head, improving our awareness of the potential dangers, and bravely facing all the difficulties and challenges."