China visa for Olympics - Beijing hits back
Trip Start
Jan 30, 2007
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Trip End
Dec 31, 2011
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Beijing,
China
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Here's the official hit-back:
China rebuffs criticism over stricter visa policies
* Reuters
* , Monday June 30 2008
BEIJING, June 30 (Reuters) - China has hit back at criticism over recently tightened visa policies ahead of August's Olympics, saying they were necessary to ensure Games security and keep out "hostile forces" from national borders, state media reported on Monday.
Restrictions unveiled earlier this year have provoked howls of condemnation from businessmen accustomed to swiftly obtaining Chinese visas, and forced many foreign residents to leave China after being denied extensions on residence and work permits.
The curbs, however, were in line with international practice and were "vitally important to for the international community", Xinhua news agency quoted Wei Wei, a consular official at the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying.
"Western countries have even tougher visa policies than China. Although there are some changes in visa application procedures, the new policy is not as strict as might be imagined.
"Those who apply to come to China for justifiable reasons will be given every convenience," Wei said.
China, which claims to have already foiled terror plots targeting foreigners and athletes, is taking no chances with the Games, and has been carrying out regular security and anti-terror drills.
Citizens of 33 countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq and Nepal, have been banned from applying for Chinese visas in Hong Kong and now have to apply in their home countries.
Travel agencies have also said tourist visas are now subject to extra red tape, with travellers required to show proof of a hotel voucher and a return air ticket.
The curbs have prompted criticism from a number of business chambers, including those from Britain and the United States, who say their members' business interests have been hurt.
At the 2004 Olympics, Greece also tightened visa controls, in some cases putting caps on the number of migrant agricultural workers for that summer, angering Greek farmers who relied heavily on seasonal labourers to work on their fields. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by David Fox)
