The Chinese Government is to open its detention and re-education centers to public visits from July 1 after a number of detainees' deaths.

Places opened to the public will include detainees' rooms, dining halls and rooms for reading, entertainment, inquests and medical treatment, the Ministry of Public Security said on May 12.

Visitors, including journalists and relatives of detainees, must first apply for permission from local police authorities and show their ID cards or reference letters from their employers on entry.

Administrators of the centers are required to arrange regular visiting schedules for relatives of detainees and meet them to explain living conditions and solicit opinions on their management.