Shanghai-based photo agency Imagine­China (IC) has been selected as the official photo agency for the China Rally of the World Rally Championship (WRC), it said in a statement Thursday.

The China Rally - which will be run in the Beijing suburbs of Huairou, Miyun and Yanqing from September 8 to 11 - marks the return of WRC to China after a 17-year hiatus.

The WRC, which began in 1973, is among world motor racing governing body FIA's flagship races. German Sebastien Ogier of Volkswagen is the drivers' defending champion.