Computers are seen in the media center for the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, Nov 1, 2012. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/Asianewsphoto]

The number of overseas reporters registered for the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has seen a remarkable increase over the previous congress, showing the world’s rising attention to a rapidly changing China.

Although there was still more than one day to go until the registration deadline on Friday night, the number of overseas journalists registered by Thursday noon had surpassed the number for the last Party congress by a big margin, Zhai Huisheng, director of the media center of the congress, told China Daily on Thursday afternoon.

He would not disclose the exact number, but said that the figure is still rising.

About 1,200 overseas reporters registered for the 17th CPC National Congress in 2007.

Thursday marked the official opening of the media center, which will be based in the Beijing Media Center Hotel.

Zhai said that the media center will arrange press conferences, group interviews, online talks and tour interviews every day ahead of and during the congress.