As for Chinese journalists, a joke going around says there are now five kinds of reporters.

The new rules will not apply to Chinese journalists, who still face heavy censorship.

"The leaders are trying to ban the dishes," said another Chinese journalist.

This letter is a new and brave voice from Chinese journalists.

"The language is always changing," a Chinese journalist said, "but never so much as in the last five years."

But several Chinese journalists here said this was no ordinary correction.

"Nothing gets on that page without them checking it," a Chinese journalist said.

In the past, the Chinese journalists would have asked him for comment.

"There's a huge potential for conflicts," a Chinese journalist said.

"Reform used to be very easy and rewarding," a Chinese journalist said.