Beijing Olympics - for locals only

Discussion in 'Olympics BEIJING 2008' started by sjoe, May 22, 2008.

  1. sjoe

    sjoe Regular Member

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    Harder to obtain Tourist Visa to China during the Olympic. The China embassy has stringent visa requirements during the Olympic.
    Now insists on both hotel and transport receipts before they will grant permission for business travelers or tourists to enter the country. Staying with friend is not allowed, a proof of Hotel reservations in Beijing is required. :confused:
    Are they discouraging foreigners to come to watch Olympic or what ? I have accommodation arranged (renting friend's apartment) and all flight booked but now have dilemma to provide Hotel reservation. All hotels are fully booked now, if I know this six months ago I can book my hotel but the new regulation only start in April. :crying:
     
  2. sjoe

    sjoe Regular Member

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    China changes visa policy ahead of Olympic Games

    Sydney Morning Herald
    May 7, 2008

    China has admitted to introducing more stringent visa requirements to ensure a "safe environment", only months before Beijing is to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

    "We have made some arrangements according to usual international practice. That is, in the approval process we are more strict and more serious with the procedure," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

    "The purpose is to make sure that we will have a safe environment."

    The foreign ministry had previously refused to confirm the visa policy had changed despite repeated complaints largely from the business community that the stricter requirements were inconvenient, time-consuming and costly.

    Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in Hong Kong he understood why China was making the apparent visa changes but said it must be aware of the pitfalls.

    "It is important that the Chinese authorities understand the potential practical, on-the-ground difficulties that this is causing," Mr Smith said.

    "Australia has had recently an Olympics as well, with the Sydney Olympics, so we understand the general public policy motivation," he said.

    "We do want to make sure that there are no long-term adverse repercussions for trade and business and industry exchange between Hong Kong and China, and between other nation states and China," he added.

    According to Hong Kong travel agents, China stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and now insists on both hotel and transport receipts before they will grant permission for business travellers or tourists to enter the country.

    The new regulations began at the start of April and were set to continue until October, after the summer Olympics close, they said.

    "It is not true that all the multiple-entry visas have been suspended ... compared to other countries, our visa system is more convenient," Qin said.

    "What is unchanged and will not change is safeguarding our national security and making sure our environment is safe and making sure foreigners in China will be safe."

    According to the travel agents, visitors from 33 countries - including India, the Philippines and Indonesia - are also no longer allowed to apply for China visas in Hong Kong and have to apply at their local Chinese embassies.

    The move has sparked concern among business leaders, who said it could damage investment in China.

    Several nations, including Britain and Australia, have urged Beijing to clarify the change in policy.

    Many businesses use Hong Kong as a base for their operations in mainland China and regularly hop over the border to monitor factories or shipments.

    China has insisted multi-entry visas are available but said in a statement that officials would "consider the real need of the applicant" when granting one.

    AFP
     
  3. yannie

    yannie Regular Member

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    thanks for the info.
     

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