The national capital is planning to completely lift dwelling restrictions that have been imposed on foreigners in Beijing for more than half a century.

By Oct. 1, all requirements on foreigners to stay in designated hotels will be eliminated. Foreigners can choose any hotel they like, except for those in non-open areas or military areas, said the city's public security bureau.

A trial program to that end reportedly began in the city's eight urban districts on May 28.

In the past, foreigners in the capital had to dwell in hotels or apartments specially designated by the city government.

To date, there are over 300 such designated hotels in Beijing, which received more than 3.1 million overseas guests in 2002.

By late 2002, there were 17,200 registered foreign funded enterprises and business offices, with more than 50,000 foreigners living or working in Beijing.

(People's Daily May 30, 2003)