I don't believe either of them accept freelance work. I've had journalism students who've tried unsuccessfully. 

I do know that Reuters has a great journalism training program you might qualify for. I've had two students  enter the program recently. They hire from around the world, and train you in proper journalism technique. You might want to check into that. 

Do you have a journalistic background? Great contacts? A track record in producing top quality copy under pressure? I think you'd need all these and more to even think about working fo a top-tier company.

As a starting out job, I'd advise trying to set yourself up as a multi-skilled stringer, then try to work towards a more secure gig once you've established reputation within China.

Actually, you could do that after some experience with the proof to back it up, why not try for Shanghai, have a couple of friends doing freelance there but the pay sucks. If you really want to freelance for the big boys, you had better be ready for eventual deportation, they only want the goodstuff, the dirt, are you up for it?