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Italy speeds visa processing for Chinese as Milan Expo 2015 nears
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ITALY has streamlined visa procedures for Chinese to cope with any increase in demand as the country prepares for the Milan Expo 2015, the Italian Consulate General in Shanghai said today.
Since the beginning of this month, five days are required for getting tourism visas, shortened from the previous eight days. For business visas, only two days are needed, compared with four days previously.
The consulate said it has upgraded the visa application system and hired more people. When the procedure gets smoother, the time demanded for tourism visas may even be cut to three days, it said.
Italy is one of the top European destinations for Chinese tourists. From 2010 to 2012, Italy's visa approvals for Chinese people in Shanghai have doubled and it is expected around 100,000 visas will be granted in 2013.
Convenience in obtaining visas was among the Italian efforts to facilitate Chinese participation in the Milan Expo 2015. A Milan Expo Office will also be set up in Shanghai, along with another one in Beijing, in the coming weeks, according to the consulate.
"Expo Milan 2015, a crucial event for Italy and Milan, will have a very significant Chinese presence," said Consul General Vincenzo de Luca. "The interest of Chinese people is already strong, especially in Shanghai, where the last expo was held in 2010."
According to the consulate, there will be three Chinese pavilions, one governmental, one representative of Shanghai, and one private. It is also expected many Chinese tourists will participate.
With the theme of "feed the planet, energy for life," the Milan Expo will promote food safety, and will further facilitate economic and cultural exchanges between Italy and China.
On Thursday, the Italian Consulate General in Shanghai, Milan Fair and the Milan Chamber of Commerce met with over 50 tour operators, airlines and cruise companies in the Shanghai area to introduce their preparations for the event.
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