CHEER-LEADERS: Eight giant pandas selected by citizens to add cheer to the Olympics are being housed at the Beijing Zoo and will be unveiled to the public tomorrow. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

And do not plan on holding any rallies or demonstrations in China.

These rules, and some others, like a ban on religious or political banners or slogans at Olympic sites, appear aimed at preventing protests against China's crackdown in Tibet in March and other Chinese policies.

They are some of the pointers issued by the Beijing Organising Committee on Monday, in a document listing 57 questions that foreign visitors to the August Games may have.

Among the list of questions are: 'Does China have any regulation against insults to the flag or national emblems?' 'After eating or drinking at restaurants or hotels, if you have diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms, how do you lodge a complaint?'

The advisory to foreigners, posted on the committee's website but only in Chinese currently, provides answers to each question: Burning or soiling the Chinese flag or emblems is a criminal offence; food poisoning symptoms are to be reported to the local health department.

Foreigners may be denied visas on suspicion of plotting terrorism, violence, sedition or any activities that may endanger China's national security and interests, the guide said.

Weapons (real and imitation), ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currency notes, narcotics and poisons are among the items not allowed into China.

State news agency Xinhua also reported yesterday that the country's postal service has suspended mailing parcels containing liquids until Oct 31.

Pro-Tibetan activists yesterday vowed to hold worldwide protests during the Beijing Olympics and said they would try to penetrate security to mount demonstrations in the Chinese capital itself.

NEW YORK TIMES, ASSOCIATED PRESS