China on Wednesday expressed concern that local officials had stopped foreign journalists from reporting on the situation in northwest Xinjiang region following a number of deadly attacks this month.

"Some Japanese journalists' reporting activities were hindered by local officials. We are very concerned about that," foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang told reporters.

He was responding to a question about Japanese reporters being detained in Kuqa in Xinjiang when they tried to interview locals about a series of bombings in the town on Sunday in which 12 people died.

His comments came on the same day that a British journalist was detained in Olympic host city Beijing as he was trying to cover a pro-Tibet protest.

"We have contacted the local officials to know the situation and for two consecutive days we have been checking with them about the situation you just mentioned," Qin said.

China last year promised greater press freedom for foreign journalists covering the Games, saying they would be allowed to travel freely across most of the country and interview people without getting official approval.

But foreign reporters have encountered a number of obstacles, especially in sensitive Tibetan areas and Xinjiang, a Muslim-populated region that China says is home to terrorists intent on targetting the Olympics.

Qin however said police in Kuqa had the right to take measures given the circumstances of the terrorist attacks.

Respect the law

"We hope that while you are reporting you could respect the Chinese laws and regulations, and Chinese law enforcement authorities, so as not to disrupt their duty," he told reporters.

Xinjiang, a vast area that borders central Asia and is home to 8.3-million Uighurs, has been the scene of several recent deadly attacks.

Two alleged Muslim militants using explosives and knives attacked policemen out jogging in Kashgar on 4 August, leaving 16 dead and 16 wounded.

On Sunday, a series of bombings against government buildings and supermarkets in Kuqa left 12 dead.

In the latest incident, three security guards were stabbed to death at a checkpoint.

AFP