Foreigners to gain visa-free entry into Beijing for up to three days
By Dong Zhen |
May 28, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BEIJING police will soon launch a new policy to allow 72-hour non-visa entry for foreigners in an effort to ease their travel, the Beijing Youth Daily reported yesterday.
Beijing Police Chief Fu Zhenghua said the move is among new efforts planned to improve the city's service quality. Details of the new policy were not announced.
The news came amid heated speculation surrounding Beijing's newly launched police crackdown against illegal foreign residents. Beijing police had just announced on Thursday that the recent crackdown had not changed the city's friendly attitude toward foreigners, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Most foreigners living in Beijing have legal status and have made contributions to the city's development, a spokesman for the Beijing police reportedly said.
There are about 200,000 foreigners staying in Beijing with legal permits and since 2004, 721 qualified have received a permanent residency permit issued by the Beijing police to stay in China as foreign nationals.
Beijing police recently launched a 100-day campaign targeting foreigners who have entered, lived or worked in the city without the proper paperwork or permits.
The spokesman said the campaign was part of the effort to battle foreigner-related crimes, as police found that most such offenses are committed by foreigners lacking legal status to stay in the country.
Beijing police have increased household and street checks, requiring foreigners to present valid identification. A hotline was opened to encourage the public to report any suspected violations. Foreigners found to be violating laws may face fines, detention or deportation.
The campaign is believed by many to be triggered by the detention of a British national who allegedly tried to sexually assault a Chinese woman on the side of a road in downtown Beijing on May 8.
Although the British man was confirmed to have a valid travel visa, similar incidents may become more frequent if the country does not enhance law enforcement and legislation, Professor Xiang Dang of the Chinese People's Public Security University, told Xinhua in an interview.
Another case in which a Russian cellist insulted a female passenger on a train on May 14 spurred increased public attention. Many netizens accused him of exhibiting a blatant disrespect for Chinese laws and citizens. The cellist was fired by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra a week after.
Beijing Police Chief Fu Zhenghua said the move is among new efforts planned to improve the city's service quality. Details of the new policy were not announced.
The news came amid heated speculation surrounding Beijing's newly launched police crackdown against illegal foreign residents. Beijing police had just announced on Thursday that the recent crackdown had not changed the city's friendly attitude toward foreigners, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Most foreigners living in Beijing have legal status and have made contributions to the city's development, a spokesman for the Beijing police reportedly said.
There are about 200,000 foreigners staying in Beijing with legal permits and since 2004, 721 qualified have received a permanent residency permit issued by the Beijing police to stay in China as foreign nationals.
Beijing police recently launched a 100-day campaign targeting foreigners who have entered, lived or worked in the city without the proper paperwork or permits.
The spokesman said the campaign was part of the effort to battle foreigner-related crimes, as police found that most such offenses are committed by foreigners lacking legal status to stay in the country.
Beijing police have increased household and street checks, requiring foreigners to present valid identification. A hotline was opened to encourage the public to report any suspected violations. Foreigners found to be violating laws may face fines, detention or deportation.
The campaign is believed by many to be triggered by the detention of a British national who allegedly tried to sexually assault a Chinese woman on the side of a road in downtown Beijing on May 8.
Although the British man was confirmed to have a valid travel visa, similar incidents may become more frequent if the country does not enhance law enforcement and legislation, Professor Xiang Dang of the Chinese People's Public Security University, told Xinhua in an interview.
Another case in which a Russian cellist insulted a female passenger on a train on May 14 spurred increased public attention. Many netizens accused him of exhibiting a blatant disrespect for Chinese laws and citizens. The cellist was fired by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra a week after.
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